Eastern Canadian provinces have more potato stocks on hand than their western counterparts, the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) said in a report on June 14. Stocks are above three-year averages in all eastern provinces — Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
“However, the late planting season and delayed growth may give more time to deplete these additional stocks. The additional 3 million hundred is doable given good demand and both fryers and fresh packers are currently making arrangements to deliver later into the season,” the report said, adding figures are close to spring 2020.
There are higher stocks of fresh potatoes in the east with much higher than average numbers in New Brunswick. The report noted this may include some processing potatoes that were switched to fresh after contracts to ship out west stopped.
“Most of these stocks are in Russets, yellows and reds have continued to ship and are being depleted. Good quality lots are in demand. Any bins with pressure bruise or other storage issues may not make it to the end.”
Processing stocks nationally are right on three-year averages, however most of that supply is located in the east. The report said remaining potatoes in refrigerated buildings will shift old crop much later and away from out of field deliveries for new crop.
“Fryers are determined to use what raw potatoes are available and chippers seem more confident they will use much of the remaining supply. Some plants in Western Canada will take some additional down time in the wait for new crop arrival.”
There’s an increase in seed stocks, which wasn’t unexpected due to P.E.I. seed exports still being blocked. The report noted how the wet conditions in Manitoba delaying planting has increased seed stocks in the province. A later spring across the country has pushed up seed stocks from where they usually would be as of June 1.
The report said Alberta, which traditionally has large seed inventories throughout the year, has been successful in moving that crop. It was also noted New Brunswick seed inventories appear high considering planting was mostly done as of June 1.
