The good growing conditions for the main harvest of the storage potatoes have ensured that the yield figures have been positively adjusted in the United States (US). This is due to good regrowth in mainly potato state Idaho.
The first came at the beginning of August estimate for the main crop (fall potatoes) at 400 million cwt (the equivalent is 20,32 million tons). The figures have now been adjusted slightly upwards (400,64 million cwt). This brings the forecast to 20,35 million tons. Compared to last year, the yield level is 3.300 tons lower.
Pros and cons
In some states, yields have increased due to regrowth. This is especially the case in Idaho and Colorado. However, other states compensate for this. Yields are the lowest in Wisconsin and Michigan. The forecast assumes that all potatoes can be harvested. This is being questioned, especially in the northernmost states, given the impending winter weather.
The average potato yield (across all states) is almost 56 tons per hectare. That is a few kilos above last year, but 355 kilos below the 20-year average. Revenues in the US can therefore be considered very stable.
Big harvest in Idaho
Idaho harvests the most (over 7 million tons), followed by Washington (5 million tons). In Idaho the potato harvest is higher due to the good growing conditions. This is partly due to the fact that the main growing area is shifting to better soils in the east of the state.
An average hectare yield of over 55 tons per hectare is a record for the state of Idaho. Compared to last year, the total volume of potatoes increased by 170.000 tons. This makes the state the only one in a position to supply the chip industry with more raw materials.
Again it turns out to be a spoilsport
The weather is a spoilsport for potato growers in some states. For example, it is very wet in Michigan, which means that more than 50% of the main harvest still has to be harvested. Last year the harvest was also difficult and 600 hectares remained in the ground. It falls prey to frost.
In the states of Montana and North Dakota it is very cold, which affects the harvest. There is no severe frost or temperatures below 0 (during the day) (yet). However, consistently low temperatures do increase the chance of blue.