The United States is heading for a normal potato harvest for the first time in years. The season is far from over, but growing conditions have been favorable for the potatoes so far. In combination with a considerably larger acreage, this can result in a considerably larger harvest.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects this to happen by 2023 potato area of 384.000 hectares. That is 5,3% more than was grown in 2022. More potatoes are being grown this year, especially in Idaho. The favorable weather conditions during and after planting have turned into a beautiful summer for the crops.
10% more potatoes
An official harvest estimate will have to wait a while. To achieve this, almost all the potatoes must first have been harvested. Insiders are now venturing into an initial yield determination. This amounts to 16,94 million tons of potatoes, which is almost 10% more than was harvested in 2022. The average yield is slightly lower compared to the multi-year average, but a larger area more than compensates for this.
If this prediction becomes reality, it will be the largest potato harvest in the US since 2018. The growing season has gone well so far in the important potato states, but it will still take three months before most potatoes are behind the shelves. During that time, anything can happen that affects the final yield.
Fifth more potatoes in Idaho
The increase in acreage in Idaho (by far the largest potato state with 133.500 hectares) is reflected in the first yield estimate. This can provide a fifth more potatoes this year. The potatoes went into the ground relatively late due to a cold spring, but the crops were able to develop well afterwards. In recent years, a persistent heat wave has caused potato yields to suffer considerably, but this year the heat has only been a local problem and of a much shorter duration. The estimated hectare yield is 49 tons per hectare. That is 8% more than the multi-year average.
The area also grew in the second state, Washington. Admittedly a lot less than in Idaho. The early potatoes were somewhat disappointing due to a cold spring, but the main harvest has picked up growth considerably this summer. Insiders assume 10% more potatoes compared to last year.
Fewer potatoes in Texas
The only state where the potato harvest is significantly disappointing this season is Texas. The area there has shrunk slightly. It was also very hot this summer, which cost kilos. It is therefore estimated that a quarter fewer potatoes are harvested in the Lone Star State.
Growers on the other side of the border, in Canada, are also heading for a good harvest. According to figures from Statistics Canada, more than 160.000 hectares of potatoes are grown this year planted. An increase of 2,5% compared to last year. In theory, this could yield a total harvest of 5,7 million tons, an increase of 2,5% on the record set in 2022.
Both on the domestic market and on the export market, the US has increasingly had to fail in recent years because it simply did not have enough potatoes. In addition, tighter availability resulted in high free market prices, making a ton of American fries more expensive. Canada and the EU have been able to benefit from that position. Not only in export destinations traditionally dominated by the US, but also in the US itself. Europe is once again heading for a tight season harvest, which may also have consequences for the export position.