b'MARKETNEWS The long-term outlook for the potato market is in flux as the industry waits on the 2020 crop and if pandemic lockdown measures are put in place again.Potato Market Not YetOut of the WoodsWHILE THE POTATO market has bounced back faster than expected from the COVID-19 pan-demic which caused lockdowns around the world, it isnt business as normal just yet, with lingering pandemic concerns still weighing on the market.We just dont know how (the rest of the pan-demic is) going to all play out. Thats absolutely aWe just dont know how (the rest of the concern among industry and particularly among processors, Kevin MacIssac, general manager ofpandemic is) going to all play out. Thats the United Potato Growers of Canada, says in aabsolutely a concern among industry and phone interview.In March as the pandemic reached Northparticularly among processors.America and forced businesses to close to slow KEVIN MACISSACthe spread of the virus, the potato processing industry found itself struggling as service industry and large event sales disappeared over night.At the time, there was concern about if and when the market would pick up again. AsPRODUCTION WOES With yield concerns across most of the country, lockdown restrictions eased in the months whichThere is concerns about the quality of the potatothere is fear french fry processors will struggle to followed, the potato industry was pleasantlycrop nationally. In the east growers have beenfind enough supply. Many processors cut contract surprised to see potato product sales reboundbattling dry conditions, while in the west potatovolumes in the spring as the pandemic hit sales, faster than expected. Some french fry processorsfields were late to get established. with sales having rebounded there is worry about are seeing business back to 80 per cent of whereMacIssac estimates potato crop yields infilling demand.it was last year at this time, MacIssac says. Prince Edward Island could be down 25 per centThe question would be where would the The one thing holding the processed potatothis year, 15 per cent in New Brunswick, and 10source of raw potatoes come from? Because today product market back from a full rebound though,per cent in Quebec. Potato yields in Ontario areit doesnt look like theyre in Alberta, doesnt look is the lack of large events such as professionalmore difficult to predict as they have receivedlike theyre in Manitoba, doesnt look like theyre in sports and concerts. With governments still hav- recent rains, but could be off as well. Idaho, MacIssac questions.ing social distancing rules in place, large eventsWere at a crucial stage right now for almostDespite the lower production expected, the will not be returning any time soon. all provinces, MacIssac explains in an interviewmarket could still be balanced though. With Thats really the part that were missing,at the end of August. Were hoping (crops) canlarge events not happening, french fry demand MacIssac explains. Those kinds of things wherehold on and mature and develop the kind ofhasnt returned to full strength yet. Also last year, theres an awful lot of french fries sold in a matterproduction rate we need. But right now, certainly20,000 acres of potatoes were left abandoned of a few hours, a day or so. we know the early maturing varieties are definitelyat harvest due to wet, cold conditions, and if The fresh potato market was able to stayoff in terms of yield. the full crop is harvested this year unlike last, stable throughout lockdown and at times salesIn British Columbia though, potato fieldsdemand could be filled.at grocery stores skyrocketed as shoppers pantryreceived good conditions throughout the growingNAPM is predicting Canadian potato produc-filled. The potato chip market also saw decentseason, MacIssac says. tion to rise overall this year by 0.4 per cent to demand throughout lockdown as consumersNorth American Potato Market News (NAPM)106.9 million cwt. Despite the acreage cut there munched on comfort food. Most potato chipis predicting Canadian potato yields at 298.2 cwtcould be 16,800 more acres harvested this year, companies even increased their contract volumeper acre, down from last year. This would mark theif no acres are abandoned due to poor weather slightly, to make up for the extra sales. lowest yield since 2013. conditions.ASHLEY ROBINSON 46 SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2020'