Canada's 2020 potato crop is expected to be slightly above last year's level, insiders report. The fact that the yield is slightly higher is mainly due to an increase in the harvested area. According to the data, this should be able to compensate for the reduced yields (due to the drought).
Insiders expect Canadian potato growers to produce 4,8 million tons of potatoes this season. The 2020 harvest would therefore yield approximately 18.700 tons more than the 2019 harvest (+0,4%). This increase is largely explained by insiders by an increase in harvested area: +5,2% to 145.120 hectares. Based on current circumstances, this increase of more than 6.700 hectares is expected to be sufficient to compensate for the reduced yields.
It is clear from expectations that yields are significantly lower. Insiders report a national average of 33,3 tons of potatoes per hectare, while in the 2019 harvest it was approximately 34,8 tons per hectare. This means that the 2020 harvest is expected to record the lowest average hectare yield since 2013.
Major rainfall deficit on Prince Edward Island
The potato harvest on Prince Edward Island in particular is suffering from the drought. The island only has a small number of wells used for irrigation and there is a ban on the use of water from surface water. This is due to the low current level. Based on the circumstances, an 11% lower potato harvest is expected for this region: 1,01 million tons. An average yield of approximately 29,6 tons per hectare is visible, compared to 2019 tons per hectare in the 33,5 harvest.
The last time the island experienced a similar drought was in 2001. That year, average yields fell 35% below the 5-year average. However, insiders are now reporting that some parts of the island have received even less rainfall than in 2001. According to them, August and the first period of September are therefore crucial for the harvest. The fact that the harvest forecast will be adjusted even further downwards is therefore something that is still being taken into account.
The New Brunswick region is also experiencing severe drought this season, although the damage is not as extensive as on Prince Edward Island. The expected harvest in New Brunswick is therefore expected to drop by 13,4% to 644.101 tons of potatoes. The average yield is reportedly 2,3 tons per hectare lower at approximately 32 tons per hectare.
Higher yield in Manitoba and Alberta
While certain parts of Canada are experiencing a significant reduction in yields, a significant increase is expected in Manitoba. Insiders report that potatoes are being harvested on more than 28.000 hectares this season, which is 5.200 hectares more than last year. It ensures that the potato harvest is estimated at 1,06 million tons (+18,8%), the largest harvest since 2007.
A larger potato harvest is also expected in the Alberta region. This is mainly due to the fact that losses are expected to be smaller than last year. The harvested area is expected to be just over 22.500 hectares, resulting in a record harvest of approximately 1 million tons of potatoes (+2,2%).