In Canada, thousands of hectares of potatoes cannot be harvested because of frost. In the province of Manitoba, as much as 8% cannot be harvested. However, potato yields in the United States (US) are higher.
Bill Campbell, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said CBC News that more than 2.000 hectares of potatoes in Manitoba will never be harvested. There are also major problems in Canada's most important growing area (Prince Edward Island). More than 5.200 hectares of potatoes will not be harvested. That is more than 15% of the total area.
Problem season
The potato harvest in Canada was in September already disturbed through snow. Since then, however, the problems have only increased further. It rained almost the entire month of October and now the frost has fallen (too) early, meaning that the remaining potatoes cannot be harvested.
Higher Yields
However, the total potato yields will be estimated higher. Total yields in the major U.S. potato producing states are expected to reach 452.619 tons of potatoes. That is 2,4% more than last year.
Washington state in particular is responsible for the growth, as yields in the state were surprisingly good. Production of chip potatoes also increased in Idaho; partly due to area increases, which had to do with the expansion of a McCain factory.