Raw potato supplies for frying and dehydration should be enough to cover the rest of the storage season in the United States, the April 21 issue of North American Potato Market News (NAPM) says.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported lower processing use in the Columbia Basin, Idaho, Maine and some “other states” — however Idaho dehydrators are starting to purchase additional raw product, NAPM notes. The USDA is also reporting large amounts of Russet potatoes in most processing states.
As of April 1, U.S. potato stocks were up from a year ago levels at 132.5 million cwt, the report says. February, March potato disappearance was down 1.1 per cent from the 2019/20 pace with five states, including Idaho, Colorado and Washington, reporting reductions. Five states had higher usage, while Michigan was the same as last year.
Processors used 6.1 per cent less potatoes in February, March than the year before. Dehydrators used 1.2 per cent fewer potatoes and french fry production fell 7.1 per cent, the report notes.
U.S. Fresh Potato Supplies
Russet fresh potato supplies in the U.S. should be good for the rest of the storage season with growers reporting potatoes are storing well, NAPM says.
Russet table potato shipments have been running near three-year averages for most of the season with weak prices suggesting an ample supply. Red potatoes in storage are limited, while yellow potato supplies are expected to be used up earlier than usual this year.
