US revenues are expected to be lower

Potato analysts calculate with an area to be harvested of almost 390.000 hectares. Slightly less than what the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is counting on. They estimate the total ware potato harvest at 26,84 million tons. This means a decrease of 376.000 tons (minus 1,7%) with the current estimate of the 2018 harvest.

Yield tons less
The area to be harvested remains almost the same as last year. The main difference is a lower yield per hectare (56 tons per hectare on average). In 2018, a record of more than 57 tons per hectare was achieved. The expected yield is slightly below the 20-year average of 56,7 tons per hectare. This just goes to show how incredibly stable yields are in the United States.

A lower harvest is expected in 7 of the 13 potato-growing states. In 5 states it increases and in 1 state the yield remains the same. Idaho and Washington, the two largest producers, sign for a reduction. It's the largest in Idaho; 2%. This state comes in at 5 million tons and Washington at 6,7 million tons. Potato cultivation is slowly shifting to areas where yields are lower, which affects the total harvest.

Difficult growing season
It will take another 3 months for the growing season and harvest to end. So a lot can still happen. However, the numbers are not set in stone. The fact is that spring was late, cold and wet for many potato areas. This certainly affects the harvest. In Idaho, crops also suffered from frost in June. The growing conditions in Washington have been very good, after a later planting season. Heat was spared growers there this summer and the harvesting work has already started.

What does this mean for the processing industry? A possible shortage of potatoes is only expected in North Dakota and Wisconsin. Nevertheless, yields of contract potatoes are on the low side everywhere. Weather influences also have an impact on quality.