The major cuts in potato cultivation by American processors have a clear impact on potato production in the United States this year. The growing season has gone well so far. There are no top yields, but it cannot be called bad.
Insiders estimate this year's harvest at 19,37 million tons. That is more than 600.000 tons less than was harvested last year, or a decrease of 3%. Due to last year's very large harvest, the decrease is significant. Compared to the multi-year average, this year's harvest is 2% above the five-year average.
The decline in potato production is mainly due to a decrease in the area of 9.300 hectares compared to 2023. This brings the total to 379.300 hectares.
Average maintained
The average yield is estimated to be 5 cents per acre lower than the average. Converted, you are talking about 560 kilos per hectare. The yield is 51 tons per hectare. American potato crops have had an excellent growing season so far, although a lot can still happen in the last 2,5 months.
Day 1 of Potato harvest '24 pic.twitter.com/lho7p17H69
— Luke R (@_lucasrad) August 7, 2024
In almost all states the potatoes were planted a little earlier than usual. As a result, the harvest also started earlier. In the major potato states such as Idaho and Washington, crop farmers are currently starting the first harvest operations. Factories have been working on the old harvest for a long time. Sometimes old potatoes are still used until early September. If growing conditions remain favorable, half a ton less can quickly become more.
Idaho remains the same
Looking at absolute tons, Washington in particular catches the eye. Production there is estimated to drop by 320.000 tons. That is a decrease of 7% compared to the previous harvest year. In North Dakota, potato production decreases by 106.000 tons (9%) and in Wisconsin by 88.000 tons (7%). In Idaho, by far the most important state with an expected production of 6,54 million tons, the yield remains virtually the same.
In Idaho, the area has decreased this season, but favorable growing conditions ensure that this effect is hardly reflected in the yield figures. On average, planting took place slightly earlier than normal and with frequent irrigation, heat waves had little impact on the crop. Regional differences are noticeable. Late night frost has also caused damage locally, but this certainly cannot be described as a disaster.
Heat wave
In Washington – number two with 4,2 million tons – the area has decreased considerably by 4.000 hectares. The story for this state is otherwise similar to Idaho. Early planting and then high temperatures during the day. This will hopefully change by mid-August, but it has meant that top yields are no longer achieved.
It will not be until November that the USDA Ministry of Agriculture will issue a first official estimate of the potato harvest. It is clear that the US is heading for an average good harvest this year, which is better in line with the capacity of processors compared to last season. Persistent heat this summer, or rain during the harvest, could still have an impact on the current figures. An early frost can always have an impact.