The potato harvest in Canada again appears to be considerably lower than expected. Just like last year, rain and frost put pressure on yields.
According to initial estimates, the Canadian potato sector will suffer a loss of at least 300.000 tons this year. The total yield is estimated at 4,7 million tons. That is similar to last year, when thousands of hectares of potatoes could not be harvested.
Despite area expansion
And this while the Canadian potato area was expanded this year by approximately 5.000 hectares to 146.000 hectares. Analysts previously expected a record harvest of 5 million tons. Frost and rainfall in the states of Alberta and Manitoba throw a spanner in the works.
Several potato processors in Canada have significantly expanded their capacity last year and calculated higher volumes. Cavendish Farms opened a new chip factory in Lethbridge (Alberta) in early October, which will process 330.000 tons of potatoes annually. Of the planted area of approximately 5.000 hectares destined for this factory, not all of the potatoes are now being received.
Also problems in the US
Also in the northern regions of the USA Mother Nature makes the potato harvest more difficult. Due to snow, cold weather and heavy rain, some plots cannot be harvested. Experts estimate potato yields in Idaho and North Dakota to be 20% lower on average.
Oh you know... just your average day digging spuds! #harvest2019 pic.twitter.com/BIgtd0abnM
—Jackson Hall (@jacksonhall90) October 29, 2019