b"MARKETNEWS With COVID-19 vaccinations rolling out, the potato industry is hoping it will mean a boost in consumption as society inches closer to a return to normal.Vaccine Offers Hope for Potato MarketWITH THE FIRST vaccines having been doled out across North America, the potato industry is feeling hopeful demand will pick up as society slowly returns to a normal world.That will bring back demand to a big level for processed products, for the french fry industry.We really expect to see some decrease in Right now, were probably at 85 to 90 per centdemand in terms of the actual supply thats of where we were a year ago, Kevin MacIsaac, general manager of the United Potato Growers ofused. However, demand is still good on the Canada, says in a phone interview. Processorsfresh side, demand is excellent on the chip in general were pretty nervous about the secondside, and like I say its able to maintain itself (wave), because there has been shutdowns in restaurants and when that happens, that bringsalmost on the french fries. down demand. KEVIN MACISSACThe second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit North America in late 2020, has led to lockdowns. However, circumstances are different during this lockdown than the first. With the pan- demand has been tempered. Demand was downthere is concern about seed supplies for the 2021 demic having started in North America in March,for American Thanksgiving as many big gather- growing season. Prince Edward Island and New people are starting to get tired of cooking at homeings didnt happen due to the pandemic, with theBrunswick are large seed producers for North which has pushed more people to ordering takeoutexpectation Christmas would be similar. America, along with the state of Maine, all of and delivery, MacIsaac explains. We really expect to see some decrease inwhich saw production drop due to the drought.Overall restaurant demand has still notdemand in terms of the actual supply thats used.We know that supplies will be tight. There completely rebounded with many restaurantsHowever, demand is still good on the fresh side,was an increase in production in Western Canada, having been forced to close permanently duringdemand is excellent on the chip side, and like I saybut demand is there as a need to feed the pro-the pandemic, Stephen Nicholson, an analystits able to maintain itself almost on the frenchcessing sector with additional supply, MacIsaac with Rabobank, says during a presentation at thefries, MacIsaac says. explains. I would say the advice to growers would Potato Business Summit in January.The pandemic wasnt the only thing thatbe to book early. Dont leave that, particularly on The National Restaurant Association isweighed on the Canadian potato marked in 2020.some varieties that may be shorter than others.saying, about 110,000 restaurants have closed inA drought though out the Maritime provincesThe certified potato seed area in Canada fell the United States So, you've seen a huge dropcaused production to drop. Statistics Canadaby 2.3 per cent to 56,716 acres, the North Ameri-off in restaurants, Nicholson explains. We havepegged the 2020 Canadian potato crop at 102.5can Potato Market News (NAPM) says in a report. to think about that in the broader picture. Andmillion cwt, down 3.9 per cent from last year.NAPM notes growers reduced the seed area for that's going to be a while before that comes back,The hot, dry growing season caused productionfry-quality varieties by 210 acres, although the or if it even does come back to level it was beforeto drop by 20.8 per cent to 8.76 million cwt indownturns for Russet Burbank and Shepody coronavirus. the Maritime provinces. Overall, Canadas 2020varieties were larger. HO2000 and Goldrush also Throughout the year, demand for fresh pota- potato yield is the countrys lowest since 2012 atsaw large acreage reductions, while seven new toes has increased as more people have cooked at286 cwt per acre. varieties climbed into Canadas top 50. home during the pandemic, however some holidayWith the production drop in the Maritimes,ASHLEY ROBINSON64 SPUDSMART.COM WINTER 2021"