Marketing

U.S. Potatoes

2012 Crop

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Federal-State

Market News Service

Idaho State Department of Agriculture

Oregon State University

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Cooperating with

United State Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Fruit & Vegetable Programs
2

Marketing U.S. Potatoes

2012 Crop

Foreword

This abbreviated summary is the result of new technology that allows you to select 

only the prices and shipments you are interested in. You can access the Fruit and 

Vegetable Market News Portal at http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/portal/fv.

This will be the last Marketing U.S. Potato Summary that will be issued by this 

office. Budget cuts to the National Agricultural Statistics Service has caused 

cancellation of reports necessary to the completion of this report.

Historical shipment and price information can be obtained by using Run 

a Custom Report or the Custom Averaging Tool.

The National Potato and Onion Report is still published and is available by a free email service. 

To receive this report by email call 208-525-0166. It is also available on the Web at 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/mncs/idop.pdf

If you have any questions, call the Idaho Falls Market News office at 208-525-0166

CONTRIBUTING REPORTERS

PATRICIA R. WILLKIE

Local Representative

TONY SORENSON

Market Reporter

EDWARD IRVINE

Market Reporter

Idaho Falls, ID

(208)525-0166

DEBRA FRIDAY

Local Representative

KEITH MURPHY

Market Reporter

Benton Harbor, MI

(616)925-3270

BRETT RICHARDSON

Local Representative

Richmond, VA

(804)371-0319

RELEASED: January 2014
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2012 Season

California, Kern District 4-7

Colorado 8-10

Delaware 11

Florida 12

Idaho 13-14

Klamath Basin 15

Maine 16-17

Maine Chipping Potatoes 18

Maine Seed Potatoes 19

Michigan Potatoes 20-22

Michigan Chipping Potatoes 23

Big Lake & Central Minnesota 24

Red River Valley (Minnesota & North Dakota) 25-26

New York Long Island 27-28

New York Chipping Potatoes 29

Ohio Chipping Potatoes 30

Pennsylvania Chipping Potatoes 31

Columbia Basin Washington & Umatilla Basin 32-34

Northwestern Washington 35-36

Wisconsin 37-38

Virginia 39-41

Virginia Chip Stock 42

Virginia Seed Stock 43

New Brunswick Canada 44-45
4

MARKETING KERN DISTRICT CALIFORNIA SPRING POTATOES 

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: USDA, NASS estimated the California Spring crop production at: 

KERN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT SPRING POTATO CROP

CROP HARVESTED YIELD PRODUCTION PRICE PRODUCTION

YEAR ACRES PER ACRE CWT PER 

CWT VALUE

2003 19,000 440 8,360,000 $12.60 105,336,000

2004 17,500 475 8,313,000 $13.40 111,394,000

2005 15,100 405 6,116,000 $13.00 79,508,000

2006 15,300 395 6,044,000 $12.00 72,528,000

2007 15,500 395 6,123,000 $10.20 62,455,000

2008 14,300 420 6,006,000 $11.00 66,066,000

2009 17,500 410 7,175,000 $17.50 125,563,000

2010 27,000 405 10,935,000 $11.80 129,033,000

2011 28,000 390 10,920,000 $16.90 184,548,000

2012 36,600 411 15,048,000 $14.60 219,223,000

5 year average 24,680 407 10,036,800 $14.36 $144,886,600 

change from 2011 to 2012 131% 105% 138% 86% 119%

change from avg to 2012 148% 101% 150% 102% 151%

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

Kern County Department of Agriculture and Measurement Standards indicated acreage was: 

Kern County Spring Potato Acreage

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 % change

Lone White 1,679 1,810 1,745 1,664 1,464 88%

Round Red 1,960 2,398 2,344 1,846 1,975 107%

Russet 3,292 3,516 1,987 2,723 2,493 92%

Yellow Type 1,431 1,421 1,399 1,233 1,404 114%

Chipper 3,640 ** ** 5,335 5,327 100%

Total Acreage 12,002 9145 7,484 12,801 12,663 99%

*Note: One major Kern County shipper does not release their acreage.
5

Weather and Crop Progress: January 31... Farmland in Kern County has been stale bedded 

for potatoes. Planting began in earnest that following week. By February 7, Kern County 

potatoes were growing well. March 28 brought the harvest equipment out as potatoes for 

chipping were being harvested in Kern County. The first week of May marked the official start 

of fresh potatoes harvest in Kern County.

Weather and growing conditions were very much normal for the 2012 potato crop. Growers 

were able to get into the field in a timely and normal time frame to begin early field work, markout, planting cultivating and harvesting. Growing conditions were very much an average of the 

last several years; including not too much rainfall and plenty of that good old California sunshine 

and the associated heat units. California is known as the “land of milk and honey” and this 

season did not disappoint the Kern County potato growers. The Central “Valley” has long been 

known for its potato crop and this season did not disappoint. Yields were very much average at 

411 cwt per acre. As most years, there was a range of yield from the sandy soils to the south and 

the heavier soil to the north end of the potato growing area. Potato quality was also very average 

with few problem or major concerns during the shipping season.

Shipments: Local Kern county shipments of 2012 crop started week-ending May 1 and 

continued until week-ending September 15. 

Kern District Potato Truck Shipments By Variety

2010 Spring Crop 2011 Spring Crop 2012 Spring Crop

VARIETY CWT Percentage CWT Percentage CWT Percentage

Purple 62,899 2 20,121 0.95 35,020 1%

Fingerling 81,881 2 36,379 1.72 49,357 1%

Yellow Type 512,808 14 389,506 18.42 620,680 17%

Long White 743,005 21 527,594 24.96 564,079 15%

Round Red 842,063 23 491,383 23.24 691,105 19%

Russet 545,308 15 649,137 30.7 738,625 20%

TOTAL 

TRUCK 2,787,964 77 2,114,120 66 2,698,866 74%

Rail 836,850 23 1,094,400 34 946,650 26%

TOTAL 3,624,814 100 3,208,520 100 3,645,516 100

Marketing: 

The 2012 season was the sixth season the 

shippers ask for and received an additional 

handling fee of 45 cents per carton/bale. 

Long White, Round Red and Yellow Type 

prices were collected starting weekending 

May 12, 2012 and ended weekending July 

28, 2012.

Long Whites: 50-pound carton size A, U.S. 

One opened at $14.00 per carton on 
6

weekending May 12, then closed at $8.00 on 

week ending July 7. They never traded 

lower than weekending July 7 and traded 

highest weekending May 12.00.

Round Reds: 50-pound carton size A, U.S. 

One opened at $10.00-12.00 per carton on 

weekending May 12, then closed at $7.00-

8.00 on weekending July 28. They never 

traded higher than the first week and lower 

than last week.

Yellow Type: 50-pound carton size A, U.S. 

One opened at $18.00-20.00 per carton on 

weekending May 12, then closed at $12.00 

on weekending July 21. They never traded 

higher than the first week and traded lowest 

at $10.00-12.00 on weekending July 14.

Russet Norkotah: U.S. One size A baled 10 

5-lb film bags opened at $6.50 on 

weekending July 7, and closed at $4.50-5.00 

on weekending August 4. U.S. One 50-

pound carton 80s opened the season on 

weekending June 23 at $9.00-10.00 per 

carton and closed on weekending August 4 

at $6.00-7.00 per carton. They never traded 

lower than the last week and the highest they 

traded was the first week of the season.

Three of the Kern County shippers operate 

their facilities outside of the traditional 

Spring Potato Season. They have a Winter 

crop grown in their Kern fields, including 

the Lake Isabella area and operations in 

what they call “the desert”, which is in the 

Imperial Valley-Coachella area. One Kern 

shipper also uses potatoes grown in the 

Lancaster area. Those three areas are 

reported in separate districts: Winter crop is 

California-Central, the desert deal in 

reported as California-Imperial Valley, and 

Lancaster is included in the CaliforniaSouthern. Shipments are reported in a 

weekending format in these districts. Prices 

are not reported by the Market News in 

these areas, so that confidentiality can be 

maintained. The Winter crop runs from 

November into March. The desert deal runs 

in April. The Lancaster crop starts as the 

Kern spring deal finishes in late June and 

runs into early October. One other 

California shipper has ground throughout 

southern California, allowing them to 

harvest potatoes throughout the year. 

Transportation Trends: Trucks hauled 74 

percent of the crop; up from 66 percent last 

year. Trucks were extremely hard to come 

by, but rail was even more of a shortage. 

Most shippers must rely on the customer to 

find a truck. Buyers had limited luck 

finding a truck that was going to California. 

Finding a truck already in-state that was 

empty was extremely difficult. Piggy-back 
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continues to be an alternate method of 

transportation because of the limited 

availability of trucks and rail cars. Another 

transportation opportunity for Kern County 

shippers is Railex with Corporate 

Headquarters in Riverhead, New York. The 

shipping facility is located in Delano, 

California (outside of Bakersfield). Railex 

delivers potatoes/produce weekly, coast to 

coast in five days, from Delano, California 

to its Rotterdam, New York facility. The 

Albany, New York area is unique in that 

Railex can service 5 major cities in four 

hours or less. It is extremely well served by 

rail, yet lacks the congestion associated with 

major metropolitan areas. This combination 

makes for a highly efficient transfer of 

goods to market that can be coupled with 

high volume and consistent supply through 

Railex's platform. Kern shippers are pleased 

with the new and additional opportunity for 

shipping into the lucrative East Coast 

market.

Weather and Crop Conditions: Though 

heavy snow fell upon the Sierra Mountains 

and the western foothills California was still 

short of ample irrigation water. The current 

political conditions of the State have seen 

water diverted from farming. Kern county 

potato growers are fortunate to have some of 

the State’s earliest water rights. Because of 

those water rights Kern county potato 

growers have sufficient water to raise a 

potato crop to maturity; unlike the west side 

of the San Joaquin Valley that has been 

force to idle much of their fertile farm land. 

Ample rain fell at times during the winter 

growing season but did not delay the Kern 

County potato grower’s access into their 

fields for spring work. The growing season 

of late spring and the harvest season of early 

summer was ideal. It was very mild, with 

moderate temperatures through the day time 

and limited rain fall that allowed growers to 

put just the correct amount of irrigation 

water on the potato crop. 

Transportation: Transportation, both truck 

and rail was extremely difficult in 2012. 

Trucks were extremely short and rail cars 

shorter. Cost of trucks was also very high, 

but for the most part shippers did not have to

discount the potato prices to accommodate 

the transportation costs. In other words, the 

customer was willing to pay the high price 

of transportation to get Kern County’s fine 

potato crop.
8

MARKETING COLORADO POTATOES

2012 CROP

Production:

San Luis Valley Colorado (Fall Potato Crop) NASS 2011 Summary

Area Planted Area Harvested

2009 2010 2011 2012 2009 2010 2011 2012

5,600 55,500 45,000 55,100 55,200 55,200 44,000 54,000

Yield Production

2009 2010 2011 2012 2009 2010 2011 2012

400 390 355 370 22,080,000 21,528,000 15,620,00 19,980,000

Planting-Growing-Harvesting 

Conditions: April 1... Summer potatoes 

were 10 percent planted compared with a 5-

year average of 9 percent. May 5... 

Summer potatoes are 75 percent planted 

compared with a 5-year average of 37 

percent and 33 percent of the crop is 

emerged. June 2... Summer potatoes are 90 

percent planted compared with a 5-year 

average of 78 percent and 45 percent of the 

crop was emerged. July 7... Summer 

potatoes were rated in mostly good 

condition at the end of the week. Fall potato 

emergence in the San Luis Valley reached 

99 percent by week’s end, ahead of the 5-

year average of 92 percent. The fall potato 

crop is rated in mostly good condition. 

August 4... Summer and fall potatoes were 

reported in mostly good condition at the end 

of the week. The harvest of summer potatoes 

began this week with 19 percent harvested 

by week’s end. September 1... Summer 

potatoes were 65 percent harvested with the 

crop reported in mostly good condition at 

the end of the week. Fall potatoes were 22 

percent harvested and reported in mostly 

good to excellent condition. September 

8... Summer potatoes were 95 percent 

harvested at the end of the week. Fall 

potatoes progressed to 72 percent harvested. 

September 15... Fall potatoes progressed to 

33 percent harvested, compared with a 5-

year average of 11 percent. Summer 

potatoes were 85 percent harvested at the 

end of the week.

Summer Marketing Season: The USDA 

Market News Service does not publish 

F.O.B. shipping point prices for Colorado’s 

summer crop due to having too few shippers 

to establish a market. 

Fall Marketing Season: Russet varieties of 

count cartons and non-size A bales started 

weekending September 8. 70 count Russet 

cartons started out at $8.00 per carton and 
9

finished the season $17.00-20.00 per carton. 

Size A baled 5 10-pound film bags started 

out at $5.00-5.50 and finished at $12.00-

13.00. U.S. Commercial bulk per cwt size 

A started at $5.00-5.50 and finished at 

$9.50-10.00.

Movement: The Market News Service 

began reporting light movement of Yellow 

Type weekending August 18, 2012, Round 

Red weekending August 25, 2012. 

Shipments of Russets started shipping out of 

the San Luis Valley on weekending August 

25. Fall potato shipments peaked in midNovember with the Thanksgiving 

promotions running add business. 

Weekending November 19 saw the peak at 

437,468 cwt, compared to 477,759 cwt in 

2011, 439,174 cwt in 2010 and 412,638 cwt 

2009. Mid-December saw another bump of 

Holiday business. Weekending December 

19 saw 326,816 cwt shipped compared to 

458,340 cwt shipped same week of 2011. 

The Easter Holiday saw another bump of 

business with weekending March 23 

shipments of 331,407 cwt compared to 

340,818 cwt in 2011 crop year. Colorado’s 

total shipments for the crop year through 

weekending August 31, 2013 equaled 

13,685,488 cwt shipped compared to 

14,162,952 cwt in 2011, 14,544,247 cwt in 

2010, and 15,127,000 cwt in 2009. By 

variety Round Red of 308,009 cwt 

compared to 314,033 cwt in 2011, 339,741 

cwt in 2010, and 330,114 cwt in 2009. 

Russet shipments were 11,851,860 cwt 

compared to 12,615,020 cwt in 2011, 

13,229,402 cwt in 2010, 13,655,381 cwt in 

2009. Yellow Type shipments were 872,455 

cwt compared to 856,172 cwt in 2011, 

926,593 cwt in 2010, 830,609 cwt in 2009. 

Shipped by rail was 436,900 cwt compared 

to 367,900 cwt in 2011, 621,400 cwt in 

2010, and 188,500 cwt in 2009.

Packaging: Major packaging remained the 

50-pound cartons, 10 and 5-pound poly bags 

in 50-pound paper or poly balers or card 

board bins, and dry bulk for Russet varieties 

(predominantly Norkotah with some Canela 

Russet, Classic Russet, Centennial Russet, 

Russet Nugget and Rio Grande Russet). 

Round Reds shipped primarily in 10 and 5-

pound poly in 50-pound paper or poly balers 

and card board bins, also 2 1⁄2-3 1⁄2” 

(Premiums) in 50-pound cartons, and size B 

in 50-pound paper sacks. Yellow Type 

shipped primarily as 5-pound poly in 50-

pound paper or poly balers and card board 

bins, also 2 1⁄2-3 1⁄2” (Premiums) in 50-pound 

cartons. 

Transportation: Trucks were a problem 

for the Colorado potato shippers most of the 

season. Transportation had become a 

critical issue as rising fuel prices in 2012 cut 

into growers’ profits. There were a few 

incidents early in the new calendar year, 

such as the Holiday season when trucks tend 

to haul the high paying Christmas tree loads. 

Also, spring time creates additional 

problems when trucks are tied up hauling 

nursery stock that also pays a premium. 

Most of the Colorado’s table stock crop 

ships out of state, including major 

distribution centers such as: Atlanta, GA; 
10

Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Los 

Angeles, California; Miami, FL; New York, 

NY; Philadelphia, PA; and because of 

Colorado’s tie to and close proximity to 

Texas, Amarillo, TX; San Antonio, TX; and 

Houston, TX.

Variety Survey: This report provides the 

results of a special Fall Potato Variety Survey 

of potato growers in the San Luis Valley for 

the 2012 crop. The survey was funded by the 

San Luis Valley Research Center and was 

conducted by the USDA/NASS Colorado 

Field Office. Data was collected from potato 

growers by return mail or telephone interviews 

conducted by enumerators. Responses to this 

year’s survey covered 46 percent of the 54,000 

acres planted for the 2012 crop compared with 

54 percent coverage in the 2011 survey. 

Russet varieties accounted for 87.0 percent of 

the 54,000 acres of all potatoes planted in the 

San Luis Valley for the 2012 crop compared 

with 85.0 percent last year. Yellow Flesh 

varieties were planted on 8.0 percent of the 

total acreage, down two percentage points 

from 2011. Red varieties were planted on 1.0 

percent of the total and the remaining 4.0 

percent of the total was made up of White and 

Other varieties. 

Russet Norkotah continued its ranking as the 

most popular variety among producers by 

being planted on 49.3 percent of the total 

potato acreage and accounting for 56.7 percent 

of all russet potatoes. Norkotah Selection 3 

was the most popular Russet Norkotah, 

accounting for 27.1 percent of the total acres 

planted; Norkotah Standard claimed 7.1 

percent; Selection 8 accounted for 4.7 percent; 

and all other Norkotah selections totaled 10.4 

percent. The Canela Russet variety ranked 

second among Russet varieties in 2012 by 

being planted on 11.5 percent of the total 

acreage and representing 13.2 percent of all 

russet varieties. The Classic Russet was the 

third most popular russet variety, representing 

6.6 percent of the total acreage and 7.6 percent 

of all russet varieties. Rio Grande Russet 

ranked fourth among russets with 6.2 percent 

of the total acreage. Centennial Russet was 

next with 4.0 percent, Mesa Russet accounted 

for 2.1 percent followed by Blazer Russet and 

Russet Nugget with 1.9 percent and 1.7 

percent, respectively. All Other Russet 

varieties were planted on 3.7 percent of the 

total acreage. 

Red varieties accounted for 1 percent of the 

planted acreage in 2012 including Cherry 

Red and Sangre. Individual varietal percents 

were withheld to avoid disclosing data for 

individual operations. 

Yukon Gold, a yellow flesh variety, was 

planted on 2.2 percent of the total acreage and 

represented 27.5 percent of all yellow flesh 

varieties. Other Yellow Flesh varieties were 

planted on 5.8 percent of the acreage. Chipita 

was the leading white variety planted, but 

individual varietal percents were withheld to 

avoid disclosing data for individual 

operations. 

Other White and Other Varieties includes 

other white varieties, research varieties and 

other specialty type potatoes. 
11

MARKETING DELAWARE POTATOES

2012 CROP

Statistics: According to the Delaware 

Agricultural Statistics Service, growers 

planted and harvested 1,600 acres of 

potatoes during the 2012 season, unchanged 

from the previous season. Production and 

yields increased slightly to 408,000 cwt. and 

255 cwt. per acre, according to the Annual 

2012 Crop Production report released by 

NASS. The average price for the 2012 

calendar year soared to $19.00 per cwt., up 

sharply from the previous year ($10.40) with 

the total value of production for 2012 of 

$7.75 million dollars, compared to $4.16 

million dollars the previous year. The 

grower base remained at 5, despite 

continued pressures of urban sprawl. 

Movement: The Market News Service 

reported movement of approximately 

239,400 cwt. or approximately 563 loads of 

table stock potatoes for the 2012 season, a 

marked increase over the previous shorter 

season total of 181,000 cwt. or 426 loads, 

and nearly the same total for the 2010 

season (565 loads). In 2011, one grower 

did extend his shipping season beyond the 

Market News reporting period, and those 

totals were not included in the final 2011 

tally, whereas a more complete picture was 

reported during the 2012 crop year. 

Shipments by Potato type were: Round 

Whites accounted for 85% of the total, 

Round Red 4.5%, Yellow Type 10.5%. 

There were no Russet varieties reported this 

crop year. The initial movement began midJuly and concluded in early November 

during the 2012 season, almost two months 

longer than the previous reported shipment 

season. 

Growing and Harvest Season: Initial 

planting was underway at the end of March, 

with drier to adequate soil moisture. By 

mid-April, planting progress was reported at 

58%, compared to the previous season. 

Planting was slowed by showers the latter 

half of the month. By mid-May, 95% of the 

crop was planted, well ahead of the five-year 

average of 64% with good surface moisture 

and warm soil conditions. Timely rains 

aided in tuber development into June. With 

the advent of hot temperatures the latter half 

of June, soils began to dry out and vines 

died. Initial harvest began near July 4th, and 

by mid-month, 51% of the harvest was 

completed, with dry soil conditions 

continuing. Above normal temperatures 

also continued, well into August. The latter 

half of the month brought near normal 

temperatures and welcome showers; harvest 

was 98% completed at month’s end. Heavy 

rains near Labor Day brought some coastal 

flooding in southern parts of the state, which 

curtailed harvest at that time. 

Marketing Season: Market News Service 

reported the first F.O.B. shipping prices of 

the 2012 season on July 19 with light 

demand. Prices opened sharply lower 

than the previous season as 50-pound sacks 

of U.S. One Size A Round Whites were 

reported at $7.00 ($15.00), and no chefs 

were reported until later in the season due to 

the slow start and smaller profile tubers. 

U.S. One tote bags (approx. 2000 pounds) 

per cwt were reported initially at $13.00 and 

by the last report on September 17 brought 

$10.00. By mid-August, prices slipped to 

$6.00 for 50-pound sacks of A size and the 

first report for chefs were $11.00. The 

market remained flat for the rest of the 

pricing period and the last report was issued 

on September 17 with A size at $6.00 and 

chefs from $9.00-10.00. On August 1st, the 

first report for Round Red U.S. One Size A 

brought $7.00 ($22.00), while Bs ranged 

from $13.00-14.00 ($24.00). Supplies for 

Round Red were in few hands and a pricing 

report was issued only one week. Again, the 

Round Red prices were sharply below 2011 

levels. Yellow supplies were light during 

the short season; however, prices were again 

well below the previous season’s levels. 

The first Yellows were reported on August 6 

with A size from $11.00-12.00 ($20.00-

22.00), and by the last report on August 19 

ranged from $10.00-11.00 ($20.00). Tote 

bags (approx. 2000 pounds) per cwt began 

with a range of $19.00-21.00 and finished at 

mostly $18.00-19.00. With the many rain 

delays, there was some later harvesting and 

shipments from one grower that went well 

into October.
12

MARKETING FLORIDA POTATOES

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: 2012 crop 

production is listed by the USDA NASS in 

their September 2013 Potato 2012 annual 

summary. Growers planted 371,000 acres in 

2012; in 2011 planted was 364,000 acres. 

2012 yield was244 cwt per acre, in 2011 

yield per acre was 256 cwt per acres. In 

2012 production was 8,917,000 cwt, in 2011 

production was 9,112,000 cwt total.

Crop & Weather: Fields were being 

prepared for planting in late November 

2012, low soil moisture delayed many fields. 

December saw dry conditions reported in 

every county in the state. Freezing 

temperatures hit the state during December 

and January with cool temperatures for the 

first 3 weeks and major freezing temperature 

the first and second week of the January. 

Dry conditions in the Hastings area limited 

field preparation and irrigation. February 

planting in northern counties was slightly 

behind schedule due to a cold snap. Potato 

digging around Lake Okeechobee and in the 

Immokalee and Palmetto-Ruskin areas 

became active during February. March saw 

the final planting for the northern fields. 

April saw fields in the Hastings area varied 

by location with early harvest of chippers 

starting by weekending April 4. Early May 

saw good weather for the start of table stock 

harvest in the Northern counties.

Harvesting: None of the Florida potato crop 

is put into storage. The entire production is 

packed and shipped at harvest. Thus harvest 

is on going through the packing season. 

Enough acres are harvested each day to keep 

the packing plants going based on demand 

and sales. Harvesting is not as stressful in 

Florida as it is in storage states that harvest 

into the night. 

Shipments: Shipments of fresh-table stock 

potatoes out of Florida was 3,266,390 in 

2012 compared to for the 2011 season were 

3,215,000 compared to 2,131,000 total cwt 

in 2010. Round Red was 2,215,000 cwt in 

2012, compared to 2,192,200 cwt in 2011, 

1,472,400 cwt in 2010; Round White 

shipments were 569,523 in 2012 compared 

to 667,700 cwt in 2011, 452,100 cwt in 

2010; Yellow Type shipments in 2012 was 

464,034 in 2012 compared to 344,900 cwt in 

2011, 182,400 cwt in 2010;. Round Red 

shipments began the week ending February 

4 and finished week ending June 23. 

Marketing: No prices were issued for 

chipper potatoes in the 2012 season as most 

movement was contracted or open sales 

were in the hands of a few growers, with too 

few prices reported to establish a market. 

The USDA, AMS, Fruit &Vegetable Market 

News reported prices out of Florida from

weekending February 18 through June 23. 

Round Red 50-pound sacks size A started 

out at $15.75-16.50 per sack, finishing at 

$11.75-14.75, mostly 13.75-14.75. Round 

White 50-pound sacks size A started the 

season at $25.50-25.75 and finished at 

$10.75-14.75, mostly $11.75-12.75. 

Yellow Type 50-pound sacks size A started 

the season at $25.50-25.75 and finished at 

$21.75-23.75. 
13

MARKETING IDAHO POTATOES

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: According to the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 

in-season estimate for 2012 crop acreage 

was 345,000 acres planted, an 8 percent 

increase from the final estimate for the 2011 

crop at 320,000 acres. The in-season 

estimate of 2012 yield was 412 cwt per acre, 

a 2 percent increase from the final estimate 

for 2011s yield of 404 cwt per acre. The inseason estimate of 2012 production was 

141,820,000 cwt, a 10 percent increase from 

the final estimate of 2011s production of 

128,760 cwt.

Shipments: The first 2012 crop shipments 

were recorded during the weekending 

August 4, 2012. 1,219,000 cwt of 2011 

shipments over-lapped the start of 2012 crop 

marketed in August 2012. Fresh market 

shipments were in full volume from August 

2011 through August 2012. Shipments from 

Idaho in 2012 were 36,026,000 cwt, a 7 

percent increase from 2011s shipments of 

33,396,000 cwt. The peak shipping month 

was November 2012 at 3,325,000 cwt.

The crop year is the calendar year when 

harvest occurred. Seasons are not fixed 

dates. Shipments are reported by the crop 

year (season) so overlapping shipments 

(generally in August) do occur as marketing 

from storage of the 2012 crop extended 

through September of 2013 after 2013 

harvest and shipments had started.

Crop & Weather: During the last week of 

March 2012, temperatures across the State 

ranged from 1 degree below to 11 degrees 

above normal. The Twin Falls Cooperative 

Extension reported wet weather had delayed 

planting. The Southwest had been 5 percent 

planted compared to 2 percent in 2011 and 

the South Central had been 2 percent 

planted. By mid-April, seed potatoes were 

still being shipped at a rapid pace. The 

Caribou extension educator reported that 

farmers were ahead of schedule. Statewide, 

the planting was 24 percent complete 

compared to 2 percent in 2011. By the end 

of April, temperatures across the State 

ranged from 4-11 degrees above normal. 

Planting in the Southwest was 98 percent 

complete compared to 66 percent in 2011; 

the South Central was 94 percent compared 

to 19 percent in 2011; the East was 50 

percent compared to 11 percent in 2011; and 

Statewide, planting was 64 percent 

compared to 16 percent in 2011. Emergence 

in both the Southwest and South Central was 

11 percent compared to no emergence in 

2011.

Temperatures across the State during the 

first week of May ranged from 8 degrees

below normal to 2 degrees above normal. 

The temperature range continued through 

the rest of May with spotty precipitation 

throughout the month. Planting was 

complete by the end of the month. 

Emergence as 100 percent complete in the 

Southwest compared to 37 percent in the 

Southwest; the South Central was 85 percent 

compared to 15 percent in 2011, the East 21 

percent compared to 7 percent in 2011, and 

Statewide was 41 percent compared to 11 
14

percent in 2011. All emergence was 

complete by the end of June. Potatoes 

continued to grow and close middles 

throughout July. 

Vines were dying or being killed the first 

week of August. During the weekending 

August 12, temperatures were 3 to 10 

degrees above normal. Precipitation was 

reported mainly in the South Central and 

East districts. By mid-August, vines that 

were dying or being killed was 23 percent 

complete, advancing 13 percentage points 

from the prior week. Light harvest had 

begun and was 11 percent complete in the 

Southwest compared to 6 percent in 2011, in 

the South Central harvest was 4 percent 

complete, ahead of 2011 pace. During the 

weekending August 26, the Butte County 

extension educator reported that potato vines 

were starting to be killed. By the end of 

August, vines dying or being killed 

Statewide were 40 percent compared to 17 

percent in 2011. The condition of the crop 

was 1 percent poor, 7 percent fair, 71 

percent good, and 21 percent excellent. 

Harvest in the Southwest was 56 percent 

complete compared to 27 percent in 2011, in 

the South Central 12 percent compared to 1 

percent in 2011, in the East 1 percent which 

was equal to 2011, and Statewide it was 15 

percent compared to 9 percent in 2011.

Harvest continued through September. 

During the last week of September, the 

Caribou County extension educator reported 

good weather helped farmers get most of the 

potatoes harvested in the County and begin 

fall field work. Harvest continued, 

Statewide, through October and was 

generally complete by the end of October.

Marketing: The first report on Russet 

Norkotahs was issued during the 

weekending August 11, 2012 out of the 

Twin Falls-Burley District and Western 

Idaho. U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags 

non size A were $5.50-6.00 and the 50-

pound cartons of 70s were $10.00-11.00. 

Marketing shifted to include the Upper 

Valley during the weekending September 1, 

2012. 

The first report on Russet Burbanks was 

issued during the weekending September 29, 

2012 out of the Upper Valley, Twin FallsBurley District Idaho. U.S. One baled 5 10-

pound film bags non size A were $5.25-6.00

and the 50-pound cartons of 70s were $5.00-

6.00. 

The last report on Russet Norkotahs was

issued during the weekending April 20, 

2013 out of the Upper Valley, Twin FallsBurley District Idaho. U.S. one baled 5 10-

pound film bags non size A were $4.00-5.00 

and the 50-pound cartons of 70s were $4.50-

5.00.

The last report on Russet Burbanks was 

issued during the weekending August 17, 

2013 out of the Upper Valley, Twin FallsBurley District Idaho. U.S. one baled 5 10-

pound film bags non size A were $10.00 and 

the 50-pound cartons of 70s were $17.00-

19.00.

No consideration is given to after-sale 

adjustments unless otherwise stated. 

Brokerage fees paid by the shipper are 

included in the price reported.
15

MARKETING KLAMATH BASIN POTATOES 

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production:

California Fall Potatoes

Acres Acres CWT CWT CWT Production

Planted Harvested Acre Production Price Value

2006 8,600 8,600 450 3,870,000 NA NA

2007 7,900 7,900 480 3,792,000 $7.70 26,299,000

2008 8,400 8,400 470 3,948,000 $7.55 26,906,000

2009 8,000 8,000 495 3,960,000 $8.95 37,214,000

2010 6,500 6,500 435 2,828,000 $10.00 28,280,000

2011 8,800 8,800 490 4,312,000 $8.80 37,946,000

2012 8,300 8,300 470 3,901,000 $7.20 28,087,200

Klamath County Oregon Potatoes

Acres CWT CWT

Harvested Acre Production

2007 5,300 485 2,570,500

2008 5,300 430 2,279,000

2009 5,400 450 2,430,000

2010 6,500 403 2,620,000

2011 6,200 410 2,542,000

2012 6,350 407 2,584,450

Shipments: Klamath Basin fresh potato 

shipments were 2,221,230 cwt. With the 

California side of the Basin at 961,904 

million cwt and the Oregon side at 

1,249,326 million cwt. The shipping 

period was from weekending September 1, 

2012 to weekending August 24, 2013. 

Weather and Crop Conditions: Cold and 

wet conditions throughout the Basin 

persisted most of April. Measurable 

precipitation was reported most of the 

month; with some storms measuring more 

than one inch. Average temperatures were 

between 38 to 52 or daytime highs. Tillage, 

planting and other field work was slow or 

impractical as cold, wet weather persisted. 

May conditions improved. For the most 

part, conditions were good for farm work. A 

glimpse of summer with a few sunny days 

was welcomed, although average 

temperatures were still about four degrees 

cooler than normal. Precipitation was about 

normal. Potato field activities were behind. 

Some catch up occurred in Klamath County, 

but things were delayed. A mix of sun and 

rain the month of July brought 

thunderstorms in some areas of the Basin 

and low temperature dropped into the low 

30s forcing growers to start up their solid 

sets. Early potato varieties were starting to 

bloom. Warm temperatures and dry 

conditions continued through most of 

August. Geese started their migration 

already. Higher than normal temperatures 

was reported in September with potato 

harvest in full swing. Good harvest weather 

continued into October until harvest of all 

potato acres was complete.

Marketing: Prices from the Klamath Basin 

for Russet Norkotah baled 5 10-pound film 

bags non-size A (on a per bale basis) opened 

at $4.00-5.25 the weekending October 30, 

2012, which was the season low. Season 

ending prices were $9.00-13.00 weekending 

July 27, 2013, which was also the season 

high. 50-pound carton 70s prices opened at 

$4.50-8.00 per carton, which was the season 

low. Season ending prices on 70 counts was 

$17.00-20.00, which was also the season 

high for 70 counts. 
16

MARKETING MAINE POTATOES

2012 CROP

Production: Maine’s planted potato 

acreage totaled 57,500 acres, 500 acres more 

than the previous season, and the largest 

acreage seeded in the State since 2006, 

according to New England Agricultural 

Statistics. Harvested acres totaled 57,000, 

3,000 additional acres than the 2011 season. 

Production increased 10% to nearly 15.7 

million cwt. from the previous year (14.3 

million cwt.). Yields also increased 10 cwt 

to 275 cwt per acre from the previous 

season. Industry sources have estimated 

between 15-18% of the production moves 

through fresh table stock channels. Acreage 

planted to Round White varieties totaled 

38%, Russets 55%, Round Red 4% and 

Yellows 3% for 2012. According to NASS, 

the average price for the 2012 calendar year

totaled $11.00 per cwt, a .60 increase from 

the previous year ($10.40) with the value 

of production $172 million dollars, a 16% 

increase from last season ($149).

Objective Yield Survey: Results from the 

annual Potato Objective Yield Survey 

conducted by NASS officials indicated the 

Russet Burbank again as the leading (fry 

processing) variety planted in the state, and 

comprised 42.7 percent of the total acreage, 

down slightly from the previous year total of 

43.1%. All Frito-Lay numbered chipping 

selections followed with 11.5% (last season 

12.5%), with Russet Norkotah 5.9% (4.9%), 

Superior with 5.1% (4.1%) and Snowden 

with 4.7% (5.5%) to round out the top five 

varieties of the total state acreage. The next 

three varieties included Goldrush and 

Norland at 3.4% each and Blazer Russet 3%. 

Acreages by potato type were Russets 55% 

(54), Whites (both Long and Round) 38% 

(38%), Yellows 3% (4%) and Reds 4 

percent (4%). Round Whites graded by 

percentage of No.1 climbed to 83.5% from 

80.7% for the 2011 season, while Russets 

rose soundly from 67% to 83% for the 2012 

season.

Growing and Harvest Seasons: A warm, 

dry spring provided optimal planting and 

growing conditions and got the 2012 crop 

off to an early May start. Plenty of sunshine 

and timely rains promoted above average 

stands at many locations, and development 

was ahead of normal. By the end of May, 

90% of the crop was planted, compared to 

only 40% one year earlier, and the 5 year 

average of 70%. Some areas received heavy 

rains (12 inches) in late June, while other 

farms only measured 2-3 inches. Dry 

conditions and above normal temperatures 

followed in July and August, placing severe 

stress on the developing tubers. Initial light 

harvest of Round Whites began around 

Labor Day, while many growers delayed 

harvest from 1-2 weeks to improve size. 

Yields were variable depending on when 

and if showers were received. A high 

quality crop was produced though tubers 

were smaller than average. Harvest finished 

by the end of October. 

Shipments: The season got off to the 

slowest start in recent history: Russet 

supplies were abundant in the West and low 

market prices did not entice Maine growers 

to begin packing early. Maine fresh potato 

shipments through December 2012 were 

down 11% (687,050 cwt.) from one year 

earlier (775,579 cwt.) and 27% from the 

2010 season (947,053 cwt.) as reported by 

the Market News Service. Shipments 

peaked in December and January with 

improved demand for Russets after the New 

Year. An early Easter holiday helped March 

shipments surpass March 2012 by 16%;

however, supplies began to dwindle and 

were held in few hands in early April. 

Major destinations along the Eastern 

Seaboard included Pennsylvania, 

Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, 

and Virginia. Shipments by type through 

June 2013 for the (2012) season were: 

Round White 913,495 cwt. (953,223 cwt.) 

Round Red 138,811 cwt. (141,457 cwt.) 

Yellow type 152,660 cwt. (163,819 cwt.), 
17

and Russets 748,460 cwt. (537,827 cwt.) for 

a combined total of 1,953,670 cwt. 

(1,796,326 cwt.). The combined variety 

total represented a 9 percent increase in 

shipments from the previous crop year,

led by a big increase for Russet varieties of 

39% and a 4% decrease in Round White 

varieties. Unofficial industry sources have 

estimated approximately 15% of the state’s 

acreage moves through fresh market 

channels.

Easements: According to the Maine 

Department of Agriculture’s Inspection 

Service, 1,367 loads or 780,831 cwt. were 

sent to Canada for processing for the 

season through July 2013, compared to 533 

loads (288,670 cwt.) the previous year. 

Potato Stocks: Stocks on hand December 

1, 2012 totaled 12.2 million cwt., up 15% 

from the record-low previous season’s 

December 1 holdings (10.6 ‘000 cwt.), 

according to New England Agricultural 

Statistics Service. Disappearance totaled 

3.27 million cwt., compared to 3.71 million 

cwt. the previous season. Maine’s processor 

usage through November (excluding chips) 

totaled 1.74 million cwt., compared to 1.86

‘000 cwt. a year earlier. Storage accounted 

for 79 percent of the state’s total production: 

63% Russets, 33% Round White varieties, 

2% yellows and 2% red varieties. The 

February 1 stocks on hand totaled 9.7 

million cwt., compared to 7.4 million cwt. 

on hand one year earlier, and 9.3 million 

cwt. on hand two years ago. Storage 

supplies accounted for 62% of total 

production, compared with the five-year 

average of 57%. Disappearance to February 

1 in the State totaled 5.98 million cwt., 

compared with 6.91 million cwt. a year 

earlier. Due to budgetary restraints, NASS 

discontinued Potato Stocks reports for the 

remainder of the 2012 season.

Marketing Season: Market News issued 

the first F.O. B. shipping point prices in 

early November with Russet Norkotah U.S. 

One 2 inch or 4 ounce minimum baled 10 5-

pound film bags from mostly $6.50-7.00, 

well below the previous season start of 

$9.00-10.00. Round White U.S. One 2 inch 

minimum baled 10 5-pound film bags began 

slightly stronger from$7.00-7.50, although 

well below the 2011 season onset at $9.50-

10.25. Prices remained dull for the entire 

Maine shipping season, with a slight bump 

on Russet Norkotah 5s in each March to 

mostly $7.00 ($10.00-10.50 one year 

earlier), while Round Whites varied little 

and finished at mostly $7.25-7.50 ($10.00). 

The last pricing report was issued Friday, 

May 17, 2013 with Russet Norkotah U.S. 

One baled 10 5-pound film bags 2 inch or 4 

ounce minimum mostly $7.00 and Round 

White 2 inch minimum baled 5s mostly 

$7.25-7.50. Very light shipments of Russets 

and Round Whites continued through June.

Packaging: The major consumer package 

for Maine potatoes has been the baled 10 5-

pound film bags for Russets and Round 

Whites. Some Russets are also packed as 

baled 10s with few cartons being utilized by 

packing sheds. More potatoes were packed 

in totes and sent to repackers near 

metropolitan areas this season. There 

continued to be a very few premium pack 

sizes such as 2 1⁄4 inch minimum on Round 

Whites for some chain store accounts and 5-

9 ounce packs on Russets packed in bales as 

well. 

Transportation: Fuel costs were higher 

this season, which drove surcharges up 

slightly from last season from 20-30% 

during the year. Base rates remained 

unchanged from the previous season: New 

York $3.00, Boston $2.40, Philadelphia 

$3.50 and Baltimore $3.75 cwt. There were

few instances of truck shortages during the 

season, and with the smaller tablestock crop, 

there were only a few instances when 

shippers scrambled for transportation near 

the Holidays and peak seed potato 

movement in February-March. 

Processing: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, processor 

usage for the 2012 season totaled 7.7 million 

cwt., an increase over the previous two 

seasons 6.7 and 7.4 million cwt. 

respectively.
18

MAINE CHIPPING POTATOES

2012 CROP

Statistics: Maine chipping potato 

movement totaled 2.2 million 

hundredweight (cwt), an increase of 16% 

from the previous season’s total of 1.9 

million cwt. Total production for the state 

was 15.6 million cwt., an increase of 10 

percent from the previous year (14.3 ‘000 

cwt.). Yields increased slightly to 275 cwt. 

per acre compared to the previous year 

(265) on 57,000 harvested acres. Shipments 

began by mid-August and finished in early 

June. Most of the chipping production is 

located in Central and Southern Aroostook 

County with two major growers in the 

northern part of the county. Industry 

sources have estimated that approximately 

15-20% of total production in the state has 

been devoted to chips. According to NASS, 

the average price for the 2012 calendar year 

totaled $11.00 per cwt., up .60 cents from 

the previous year ($10.40) with the value of 

production $172 million dollars ($148.8 last 

season). Nationally, potatoes used for chips 

and shoestrings totaled 56.3 million cwt. in 

2012, down 4 percent from the previous 

year.

Growing and Harvest Seasons: A warm, 

dry spring provided optimal planting and 

growing conditions and got the 2012 crop 

off to an early May start. Plenty of sunshine 

and timely rains promoted above average 

stands at many locations, and development 

was ahead of normal. By the end of May, 

90% of the crop was planted, compared to 

only 40% one year earlier, and the 5 year 

average of 70%. Some areas received heavy 

rains (12 inches) in late June, while other 

farms only measured 2-3 inches. Dry 

conditions and above normal temperatures 

followed in July and August, placing severe 

stress on the developing tubers. Initial light 

harvest of the crop began in mid-August and 

continued through much of October. 

Marketing: Harvest of out-of-the-field 

supplies began in mid-August. Shipments 

peaked during November through January as 

retailers prepared for holiday promotions 

and prime-time snack parties during the 

NFL play-off games and the Super Bowl. 

No open market trading was reported to the 

MNS as growers only planted what they had 

contracted with buyers. Frito-Lay was the 

major buyer/contractor in the state with 

smaller contracts going to Snyder’s/Lances, 

Utz, Wachusetts, and a few additional 

buying broker/dealers along the East Coast. 

Shipments: The 2012 season was complete

in early June at a total of 2,206,080 cwt. for 

the season, an increase of 16% over the 

previous year (1,901,921 cwt.), although 

11% less than the 2010 crop year (2,470,191 

cwt.).
19

MAINE SEED POTATOES

2012 CROP

Acreage: Certified potato seed acreage for 

the 2012 season increased slightly from the 

previous season as the Florida-tested and 

certified acreage for the 2012 season totaled 

11,444.7 acres, compared to 11,161 and 

10,848.8 acres the previous two seasons. 

These figures did not include growers own 

seed plots. Industry sources estimate that 

the seed industry comprises between 10-

15% of total production. The Maine Seed 

Inspection Department was responsible for 

inspection and certification of seed 

shipments by variety and destination for the 

industry. Certification tags were issued by 

state Seed Potato Specialists for lots that met 

official grades for Maine Certified Seed, and 

after Florida testing, recorded 5 per cent or 

less virus diseased plants. The major seed 

varieties were: Frito-Lay numbered chipping 

selections, Russet Burbank (all strains), 

Atlantic (chip), Superior (NY Strain), 

Snowden (chip), Yukon Gold, Reba, Dark 

Red Norland, NorWis, and Andover. 

Within these varieties, the biggest increases

were noted in Snowden and Superior with 

an increase of 15% each, Russet Burbank 

strains with an increase of 8% overall, and 

Atlantics increased 7%. Other increases 

noted were Marcy up 24%, Goldrush up 

109%, Innovator ahead by 138% with 

Blazer Russet and Lehigh following with 

increases of 52% and 51% respectively. 

Decreases in the major varieties above were 

Reba with a 21% decline from the previous 

season, Yukon Gold 7% decline, and Dark 

Red Norland off 12%. Other noteworthy 

decreases included Shepody with a decrease 

of 57%, Kennebec off by 23% and Dark Red 

Norland down 12%. 

Shipments: Shipments began in early 

December to Florida and finished June 1st

for the 2012 shipping season. Movement

totaled 1,064,190 cwt., a decrease of 3 

percent compared to the previous season 

total of 1,099,052 cwt., according to the 

Maine Seed Inspection Department. Major 

destinations for Maine seed were: New 

York with 222,730 cwt. (+12%), Florida at 

222,122 cwt. (-10%), North Carolina

175,181 cwt. (-18%), Pennsylvania 81,144 

cwt. (-2%), and a sharp increase for 

Canada to 74,981 cwt. (+64%). Peak

volume was reported from mid-March into 

early May, when New York, Pennsylvania, 

and other Mid-Atlantic States received the 

bulk of their shipments. Destinations 

included 30 states and/or countries this 

season. The major varieties shipped by 

Maine seed growers were Frito Lay 

numbered chipping selections with 222,290 

cwt., an increase of 17% from one year 

earlier (190,255 cwt.), Atlantic 166,148 

cwt. (-12%), Snowden increased to 

119,882 cwt. (109,661 cwt.), Reba 77,015 

cwt. (74,912 cwt.), Superior strains

decreased to 60,865 cwt. (69,112 cwt.), 

while Norwis surged to 60,602 cwt. (48,350 

cwt.) over the previous season. Some seed 

was delayed due to inclement weather 

conditions during the first half of the season, 

and some growers reported some seed 

contracts were cancelled or cut in volume, 

leaving some dealers and growers with 

inventory at the end of the season.

Growing and Harvest Seasons: A warm, 

dry spring provided optimal planting and 

growing conditions and got the 2012 crop 

off to an early May start. Plenty of sunshine 

and timely rains promoted above average 

stand at many locations, and development 

was ahead of normal. By the end of May, 

90% of the crop was planted, compared to 

only 40% one year earlier, and the 5 year 

average of 70%. Some areas received heavy 

rains (12 inches) in late June, while other 

farms only measured 2-3 inches. Dry 

conditions and above normal temperatures 

followed in July and August, placing severe 

stress on the developing tubers. Initial light 

harvest of Round Whites began around 

Labor Day, while many growers delayed 

harvest from 1-2 weeks to improve size. 

Yields were variable depending on when 

and if showers were received. A high 

quality crop was produced through tubers 

were smaller than average. Harvest finished 

by the end of October.
20

MARKETING MICHIGAN POTATOES

2012 CROP

Production: Michigan growers harvested 

45,500 acres, 1500 additional acres than 

the previous season as production climbed 

5% to 15.9 million cwt. (15.2 million cwt. in 

2011). Yields increased 5 cwt. to 350 cwt. 

per acre compared to the record yield of 360 

cwt. in 2010. Total production for the state 

of 15.9 million cwt., was up nearly 5% from 

the previous season (15.1). Unofficial 

industry sources have estimated 

approximately 25% of the state’s production 

has been devoted to fresh market varieties. 

According to NASS, the state’s average 

price for the 2012 calendar year totaled 

$11.60 per cwt., the same as the previous 

year, with the value of production $184.73 

million dollars ($176 in 2011). Nationally, 

the average price received for fresh potatoes 

totaled $9.16 cwt. with all potatoes $8.65 

cwt. Potato acreage by variety was: Russets 

12%, Round Whites 86%, and Yellow and 

Round Red varieties each 1%. 

Movement: Light shipments to local 

markets and roadside stands of the summer 

Round White Onaway crop began the latter 

of July. Supplies of the summer Onaway 

crop were in few hands in the Eastern Bay 

County region, so unofficial F.O.B. 

Shipping Point Prices were released weekly 

in the Market News National Shipping Point 

Trends Report released each Tuesday during 

the season. Early Round White movement 

lagged behind the previous season due to the 

Onaway crop losses and heavy Western 

supplies. By the end of September, 

movement was down sharply from the 

previous season: approximately 237 loads 

had been shipped compared to 496 loads for 

the same time frame one year earlier. Peak 

movement of Russets occurred during the 

Thanksgiving rush through January, and 

again in March for Easter and Spring 

promotions. Round White supplies peaked 

January-March as supplies in the East 

cleaned up and, shippers found new 

customers for their remaining supplies.

The final total for the season reported by the 

MNS the latter half of June totaled nearly 

1.7 million cwt., compared to 1.95 million 

cwt. the previous season. Russet varieties 

accounted for approximately 75 percent of 

the total, while Round White loads made up 

nearly 25 percent and Round Red and 

Yellows only a small fraction of 1% of 

movement. 

Growing and Harvest Seasons: Planting 

was underway in late March in southern 

counties and Bay County areas as several 

days of record-setting temperatures (80s) 

were recorded mid-month. April cooled off 

and several frost/freezes spanned the month, 

and slowed progress. Growers in northern 

Michigan began planting in early May. 
21

Welcome rainfall in early May aided in 

tuber development. By the end of the 

month, most planting had been completed, 

and emergence evident in fields across the 

state. Soils began to dry in June, as above 

normal temperatures and dry conditions 

continued; irrigation was used throughout 

the summer. Some potato vines collapsed 

earlier than optimal due to weather stress 

and there were reports in Southwest 

Michigan that some potatoes had not set 

tubers due to the heat. The heat wave 

continued into August; however, the second 

week of the month brought heavy rains (6-9 

inches) to Bay County and suspended 

digging for several days. The Onaway crop 

was devastated between the excess moisture 

and heat with most of the crop abandoned. 

By the end of August, some growers in 

northern were harvesting fall storage fields. 

By mid-September, movement to storage 

was active across the state. Some fields 

needed to be irrigated prior to harvest due to 

dry soil conditions. Overall, optimal 

weather conditions in October helped many 

finish with harvest 1-2 weeks earlier than 

normal. 

Onaway Summer Marketing Season: 

Light shipments of the summer Round 

White Onaway crop commenced in East 

Central Michigan the latter half of July 

under above average temperatures and drier 

soil conditions. Supplies of Onaway were in 

few hands in Bay County, so unofficial 

F.O.B. Shipping Point Prices were released 

weekly in the Market News National 

Shipping Point Trends Report released each 

Tuesday beginning mid-August to midOctober. Early trading was slow with the 

first unofficial Shipping Point Prices 

released July 30th with U.S. One size A 

Round Whites in 10-pound open window 

sacks loose for mostly $1.80, well above the 

previous season prices of $2.45-$2.50 per 

10. The extended season along the Atlantic 

Seaboard states, coupled with very low 

Western Russet prices kept prices low. 

During the second week of August, 6-9 

inches of rain fell in Eastern Central 

Michigan and curtailed digging for several 

days. Growers were not able to save the 

remainder of the summer crop; the high heat 

and water caused potatoes to “blow-up”. In 

late August, some supplies were harvested 

in the north and packed for the table market; 

Round White 10s ranged from $1.60-$1.75. 

Storage Season: Early supplies in October 

were limited; therefore, unofficial F.O.B. 

Shipping Point prices were reported on the 

Weekly Trends report October 9, 2012 with 

U.S. One size A Round White 10-pound 

open window sacks loose from $1.40-$1.60, 

and Russet Norkotah 10-pound film bags 

loose mostly $1.50. The first daily F.O.B. 

Shipping Point Prices were issued October 

29, 2012 by the Market News Service. 

Russet Norkotah and Goldrush U.S. One 

size A 10-pound film bags loose sold from 

$1.35-1.75, an average of $4.00-4.50 cwt. 

lower than the 2011 season. These prices 
22

were steady through the Christmas holidays; 

at the New Year, the Russet price slipped to 

$1.35-$1.60 per 10. By March 1, prices 

eased off to $1.30-$1.50 and remained there 

indefinitely. The first daily prices for 

storage Round Whites occurred November 

14, 2012 with U.S. One size Round White 

10-pound open window sacks loose from 

$1.40-$1.75, below the previous season’s 

start by $3.50-$4.00 cwt. Prices for Whites 

also slipped first of the New Year to a high 

of $1.60, and followed the downward trend 

of Russets in early March and sold from 

$1.30-$1.50. Round White demand was 

very slow for much of the season; Western 

Russet supplies were plentiful and very 

inexpensive. It was difficult for White 

growers to maintain shelf space at major 

retailers, or buyers expected Round White 

supplies be discounted. Demand remained 

sluggish for much of the season. In March, 

Round White supplies were scarce along the 

East Coast, so a few growers were able to 

ship supplies to repackers in the East. By 

early-April, Round White supplies were in 

few hands; the Market News Service issued 

a last report on April18 with prices 

unchanged with 10-pound open window 

sacks loose size A $1.30-$1.50, $6.00-$7.00 

cwt. less than the previous season’s closing 

prices. Russet pricing continued.....

Stocks on Hand: According to NASS, 

Michigan’s stocks on hand December 1, 

2012 increased 13% and totaled 9.7 million 

cwt., compared to 8.6 million cwt. the 

previous year. This represented 59 percent 

of the crop year’s production. 

Approximately 86 percent of the December 

1 stocks on hand were Round White 

varieties, 13 percent Russets, and 1 percent 

Red varieties. The February 1 holdings of 

5.7 million cwt. were up sharply (21%) from 

the previous year (4.7 million cwt.) and 

accounted for 36 percent of the year’s 

production. NASS discontinued stocks 

reports for the remainder of the fiscal year 

due to budget constraints.

Packaging: The 10-pound open-window 

sack loose paper sack for Round White 

varieties remained the standard package 

while the 10-pound film bag loose for 

Russet varieties (notably Norkotah and 

Goldrush) was predominant, although a few 

additional chain stores have moved to eightpound bags. Tote bags continued to gain in 

popularity, particularly the latter half of the 

shipping season, when Round White 

supplies were fairly light along the Eastern 

Seaboard, and new crop supplies in Florida 

were light and priced at high levels. A few 

growers packed Russet cartons during the 

season, although prices were at rock-bottom 

levels due to heavy Western supplies.

Transportation: Trucking was easily 

handled except for a tight supply near winter 

holiday promotions. Most of the table stock 

delivered to nearby or overnight destinations 

with little problems.
23

MICHIGAN CHIPPING POTATOES

2012 CROP

Production: Michigan growers harvested 

45,500 acres, 1500 additional acres than 

the previous season as production climbed 

5% to 15.9 million cwt. (15.2 million cwt. in 

2011). Yields increased 5 cwt. to 350 cwt. 

per acre compared to the record yield of 360 

cwt. in 2010. Unofficial sources reported 

some additional chip stock acreage of up to 

1,000 acres was planted for the 2012 season, 

and between 65-70% of the production in 

the state has been estimated to be chipstock 

movement. According to NASS, the 

average price for the 2012 calendar year 

totaled $11.60 per cwt., the same as the 

previous year, with the value of production 

$184.7 million dollars ($176 in 2011). 

Potato acreage by variety was: Russets 12%, 

Round Whites 86%, and Round Red 1%. 

Nationally, potatoes for chips and 

shoestrings totaled 56.3 million cwt., down 

4% from 2011.

Growing & Harvest Seasons: Planting 

was underway the end of March in southern 

counties and Bay County areas as several 

days of record-setting temperatures (80s) 

were recorded mid-month. April cooled off 

and several frost/freezes spanned the month, 

and slowed progress. Growers in Montcalm 

County began planting in late April. 

Welcome rainfall in early May aided in 

tuber development. By the end of the 

month, most planting had been completed, 

and emergence evident in fields across the 

state. Soils began to dry in June, as above 

normal temperatures and dry conditions 

continued; irrigation was used throughout 

the summer. Some potato vines collapsed 

earlier than optimal due to weather stress 

and there were reports in Southwest 

Michigan that some potatoes had not set 

tubers due to the heat. The heat wave 

continued into August; however, the second 

week of the month brought heavy rains (6-9 

inches) to Bay County and suspended 

digging for several days. By midSeptember, movement to storage was active 

across the state, and slightly ahead of 

schedule. Some fields needed to be 

irrigated prior to harvest due to dry soil 

conditions. Overall, optimal weather 

conditions in October helped many growers 

finish with harvest 1-2 weeks earlier than 

normal, although a few of the biggest 

growers continued with harvest into early 

November. 

Marketing: There was some open market 

trading reported during the season. In midOctober, some field offerings sold from 

$5.00-5.75 cwt. and by the end of the month, 

the price increased slightly to $5.75 cwt. 

After harvest was completed, some offerings 

sold for $8.00 cwt., and additional lots 

brought $9.25 cwt. by the end of the 

calendar year. The latter half of January 

brought another slight increase as offerings 

sold for $10.25 cwt. The last open market 

sales reported occurred early-to-mid 

February and brought $10.25-10.75 cwt. a 

few growers sold some additional supplies 

for $10.25 cwt. By early March, some 

growers experienced break-down in storage 

tubers, due to the high temperatures during 

the growing season, and lost a few sizable 

lots due to accelerated age of the tuber and 

poor fry color. Predominant varieties 

included Atlantic, Snowden, Pike and FL 

numbered varieties.

Shipments began in late July with peak out 

of the field supplies late August through 

October; movement to storage was active 

from mid-September through early 

November. The early field yields were 

noted as only average, due to high summer 

temperatures. The season ended in midJune with a total of 10.8 million cwt. 

shipped, compared to 9.9 and 10 million 

cwt. the two previous crop years. 

Stocks on Hand: According to NASS, 

Michigan’s stocks on hand December 1, 

2012 increased 13% and totaled 9.7 million 

cwt., compared to 8.6 million cwt. the 

previous year. This represented 59 percent 

of the crop year’s production. 

Approximately 86 percent of the December 

1 stocks on hand were Round White 

varieties, 13 percent Russets, and 1 percent 

Red varieties. The February 1 holdings of 

5.7 million cwt. were up sharply (21%) from 

the previous year (4.7 million cwt.) and 

accounted for 36 percent of the year’s 

production. NASS discontinued stocks 

reports for the remainder of the fiscal year 

due to budget constraints.
24

MARKETING BIG LAKE & CENTRAL MINNESOTA POTATOES

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: National 

Agricultural Statistics Service reported 

planted acreage for all of Minnesota at 

49,000 acres in 2012, also 49,000 acres in 

2011, compared to 45,000 acres in 2010. 

Yields of cwt per acre jumped to 400 in 

2012, up from 355 in 2011 and down from 

405 in 2010. Production fell in at 

18,800,000 cwt in 2012, 16,685,000 cwt in 

2011 and 17,010,000 cwt in 2010.

Growing Regions: The Big Lake and 

Central Minnesota District stretches from 

the Big Lake area (Sherburne County) in the 

south to Long Prairie, Little Falls, Perham, 

Bemidji, Trail and Red Lake areas in Central 

Minnesota. 

Weather and Crop Condition: By the last 

week of March, abnormally warm 

temperatures across the State had melted 

much of the snow cover and triggered 

flooding in many areas. By weekending 

May 9, 2012 Minnesota producers exploited 

a small break in the cold, wet weather 

pattern and made planting progress. 

According to the USDA, NASS, Minnesota 

Field Office potatoes were 40 percent 

planted across the state compared to 78 

percent just one year ago. 

Harvest: Light harvest activity of Round 

Reds started week ending September 21, 

2012. Most growers of Round Reds had 

finished digging by late-September with 

minimal weather delays during harvest. 

The peat soil area around Gully, MN 

finished harvesting Round Reds around midOctober. Some Russets were still being 

harvested into late October. Some Russets 

were put into storage in the Big Lake area 

for shipping in the Thanksgiving market. 

Some peat soil Reds are also put into storage 

and were shipped into early February.

Shipments: Recorded shipments of Round 

Reds and Russets for the season totaled 

1,874,501 cwt in 2012, compared to 

1,761,371 cwt in 2011, 1,797,750 cwt in 

2010, 697,957 cwt in 2009 and 2,159,500 

cwt in 2008. The Idaho Falls, Idaho, USDA 

Market News Service collected shipments 

through the voluntary cooperation of 

individual shippers. All shipments were 

transported by truck. Shipments of Round 

Reds started in late July weekending July 

21, and peaked in August weekending 

August 25 with 207,920 cwt. Shipments of 

Russets started weekending July 28 and 

finished for the most part in mid-October 

weekending October 20; a few Russets were 

stored and marketed in November for the 

Thanksgiving market. Volume shipments 

continued through weekending October 6, 

then declined seasonally with light 

shipments continuing out of the peat soil 

storage area until the last potato was shipped 

on weekending February 9, 2013.

Marketing: The Big Lake and Central 

Minnesota marketing of Round Reds started 

weekending July 26, 2012. Shipping point 

prices for Round Reds U.S. One size A in 

50-pound cartons, at $8.00-8.50. Prices 

finished at $5.50-7.50 week ending 

September 17. Russet Norkotah were not 

reported by the Idaho Falls, Idaho, USDA 

Market News Service. The Big Lake area 

has few Russets and a short window when 

they are all running. Not enough shippers 

were running at any one time to establish a 

market. The National Agricultural Statistics 

Service, in their 2012 Summary, reported 

Average Price Received for Minnesota 

potatoes including Processing and Fresh was 

$8.20 per cwt for the 2012 crop, $9.60 in 

2011, compared to $7.30 in 2010, and $7.60

in 2009.

Packaging: The major packs for Round 

Red potatoes were 2000-pound tote bags. 

This package is used by shippers as the base 

price for pricing size A 50-pound paper 

sacks, 50-pound cartons, and 10 and 5-

pound film bags. The packaging for 

Norkotah was size A and non-size A in tote 

bags approximately 2000 pound sacks, 10-

pound and 5-pound film bags; 50-pound 

cartons of count size potatoes.
25

MARKETING RED RIVER VALLEY POTATOES 

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: 

STATE CROP 

YEAR

ACRES 

PLANTED

ACRES 

HARVESTED

YIELD 

CWT

PRODUCTION 

CWT

MINNESOTA

2008 50,000 48,000 425 20,400,000

2009 47,000 45,000 460 20,700,000

2010 45,000 42,000 405 17,010,000

2011 49,000 47,000 355 16,885,000

2012 49,00 47,000 400 18,800,000

NORTH DAKOTA

2008 82,000 81,000 280 22,680,000

2009 83,000 75,000 255 19,125,000

2010 84,000 80,000 275 22,000,000

2011 84,000 77,000 245 18,865,000

2012 88,000 84,000 300 25,200,000

Weather and Crop Conditions: By the 

last week of April the USDA, National 

Agricultural Statistics Service reported: The 

average starting date for fieldwork was 

expected to be May 5. This date is eighteen 

days later than last year and fifteen days 

behind the five-year (2007-2011) average. 

The expected starting dates across the region 

ranged from May in the south to May 12 in 

the north. The wet spring weather continued 

in the form of scattered rain, freezing rain, 

and snow. Warmer, dry weather over the 

weekend brought some relief; however, 

flooding remained a major concern for many 

producers. Topsoil moisture supplies were 

rated 47 percent adequate and 53 surplus 

while subsoil moisture supplies were rated 

53 percent adequate and 47 surplus. Warm 

dry weather was needed before significant 

progress could be made planting potatoes. 

May 19: potatoes were 3 percent planted, 

compared to 2 percent just one week prior, 

63 percent one year ago, and 47 percent of 

the (2007-2011) average. As of June 16, 

potato growers had planted 82 percent of the 

crop, compared to 100 percent at this point 

last year and 97 percent average. Potatoes 

were 25 percent emerged. As of June 23 the 

2012 crop was 95 percent planted and 54 

percent emerged. By August 21 growers 

were beginning to kill vine throughout the 

region. By September 8 potato harvest had 

begun in earnest, with one percent of the 

crop harvested. As of September 29 92 

percent of potatoes had vines killed and 27 

percent were dug. By October 13 82 percent 

had been harvested. On October 20 95 

percent had been dug and harvest was all but 

over.
26

Marketing: The first report of the season 

was issued the week ending September 22 

and the last report of the season was April 

27. Prices for tote bags, approximately 2000 

pounds per cwt, size A Round Reds U.S. 

One opened at $10.00 per cwt, compared to 

$28.00 per cwt in 2011, $30.00-32.00 per 

cwt in 2010, $13.00-14.00 in 2009. Tote 

bags finished the season at $14.50 compared 

to $10.00-13.00 in 2011, 18.50-19.00 per 

cwt in 2010, and $15.00-16.00 in 2009.

The customary trade practice in this district 

is to use the tote bags approximately 2000 

pounds per cwt size A for Round Reds U.S. 

One as a base price. Baled 10-pound film 

bags were usually up-charged $4.00 per cwt 

premium and 5-pound film bags up-charged 

$5.00 per cwt from the tote price. 50-pound 

paper sacks were $2.00 per cwt over the tote 

base price and 50-pound cartons $5.00. 

Shipments: Daily shipments were collected 

with the voluntary cooperation of the Red 

River Valley shippers by Idaho Falls, Idaho, 

Market News Service. Fresh market 

shipments of Round Reds began week 

ending September 8, 2012 and continued 

into the weekending May 25, 2013. Fresh 

shipments totaled 3,340,755 cwt compared 

to 2,997,377cwt in 2011, 3,380,323 cwt in 

2010, 3,183,866 cwt in 2009 and 4,084,000 

cwt for the 2008 and 3,911,600 cwt for the 

2007 season. The Holiday Season showed 

some increases in shipments from other 

weeks. The weekending November 17 had 

shipments totaling 142,825 cwt compared to 

132,172 in 2011, 153,261 cwt in 2010, 

133,370 cwt in 2009. Three other holidays 

saw a jump in shipments Christmas with 

weekending December 22 at 136,075 cwt 

compared to 107,847 cwt in 2011, 135,108 

cwt in 2010. 

(MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA) RED RIVER VALLEY

CWT CROP YEAR Round Red Yellow Type Mixed Red/Yellow Rail TOTAL

RRV

2010 3,162,245 68,303 15,933 4,242 129,600 2,829,345

2011 2,858,566 78,511 0 0 60,300 2,997,377

2012 3,194,005 79,888 0 0 63,000 3,340,755

Transportation Trends: The Valley often 

experiences more transportation problems 

than most other shipping areas because of its 

location and the lack of back hauls. Most 

trucks originate out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

The truck shortages that other segments of 

the produce industry experienced this year 

also plagued the Red River Valley. FritoLay hauls massive amounts of chippers out 

of State during harvest and the largest turkey 

producing area in the nation is just over the 

North Dakota border into Central 

Minnesota. These two commodities take 

many trucks from the potato shippers. 

Trucks were in tight supply by late-October 

and shortages continued through the month 

of December.
27

 

MARKETING LONG ISLAND NEW YORK POTATOES

2012 CROP

Statistics: According to the New York 

Agricultural Statistics Service, New York 

growers planted 17,000 acres of potatoes for 

the 2012 season, 500 more acres for the 

previous season. Harvested acreage totaled 

16,500 acres, 300 more than one year 

earlier. Production increased to 4.7 million 

cwt., 16% above the record low 4.050 

million cwt. from the 2011 season, with an 

average lower yield of 285 cwt., down 

from the 2010 seasons’ record-breaking 

yield of 320 cwt., but up 35 cwt. from the 

2011 season. Unofficial sources reported 

estimated planted acreage of potatoes of 

slightly over 2,600 acres on Eastern Long 

Island. According to NASS, the average 

price for 2012 in New York totaled $13.60, 

a decrease of $2.10 over the previous season 

($15.70) while the value of production 

totaled nearly $64 million dollars for the 

entire state (last year $63.5 million). 

Growing and Harvest Seasons: Planting 

got off to an early start in late March and 

progressed without a hitch, as the bulk of the 

acreage was planted by the latter half of 

April. The end of the month brought a good 

soaking rain (3.5 inches), which helped with 

plant development. Beneficial rains 

continued well into June with slightly above 

normal temperatures. Warmer temperatures 

were present for much of the growing 

season, with a slight departure from normal 

precipitation. Initial harvest began during 

the latter half of August with deliveries to 

local markets. By the latter half of 

September, under cooler and drier 

conditions, growers began movement to 

storage on the island. There were some 

intermittent rain delays during the remainder 

of the harvest; however, harvest was 

generally completed by the end of October. 

Marketing Season: The first F.O.B. 

Shipping Point prices of the 2012 season 

were established by the Market News 

Service on September 10, 2012, a slightly 

later start than the previous season. Round 

White U.S. One 50-pound sacks size A 

sold for only $6.00, sharply lower than one 

year earlier when initial offerings brought 

$13.00. Large size offerings sold from 

$9.50-10.00, compared to 14.75-15.00 at the 

onset in 2011. Baled 10 5-pound sacks 

were also much lower at $9.00, compared to 

$15.25-15.75 early in the 2011 season. 

There was a short period of Yellow type 

movement during September by a few 
28

growers with size A 50s at $10.00. By 

October 1st, Round White prices had slipped 

slightly by .25-.50 per bale, with 50-pound 

size A mostly $5.50-5.75 and large size 

mostly $8.50-9.00. Large size or Chef’s 

continued to weaken in November to mostly 

$6.50-6.75, and baled 5s fell to mostly 

$8.00-8.50. Chefs fell another .25-50 cents 

the early part of January, as slow movement 

created an artificial demand for large size 

spuds. Trading was fairly slow for most of 

the Long Island shipping season due to an 

extended shipping season in Delaware and 

Virginia as well as the huge crop of Western 

Russets. The sheer size of the Russet crop 

and low prices left Round White growers 

with fewer outlets and buyers willing to pay 

any premium for Round White potatoes 

during the year. The shipping season came 

to a close the end of January with final 

prices for size A 50s from mostly $5.50-5.75 

and large mostly $6.25-6.50, with baled 5s 

from mostly $8.00-8.50.

Movement: The season got off to a slower 

start in early August through September, as 

Delaware was in full swing at that time. In 

October, the tempo had picked up; however, 

November into early-December brought 

peak movement. November volume ended 

14% ahead of one year earlier. Peak 

volume (43% of the season) was shipped 

during November and December. Moderate 

movement continued through January, 

which brought increases of 60% ahead of 

the previous January. By February, the 

remaining supplies were held in a few 

growers’ hands. The final movement 

report of the 2012 season was issued the 

end of February 2013 with approximately 

1,459 loads shipped, compared to 1,315 

loads recorded for the 2011 season. 

Stocks: Stocks on hand December 1, 2012 

for New York totaled 2.7 million cwt., an 

increase of 16 percent from the previous 

season total of 2.1 million cwt. Stocks on 

hand by variety were: Round White 93%, 

Round Red 4% and Yellow Type 3%. Total 

storage accounted for 57 percent of the 

potato crop, a slight increase from the prior 

year (52%). 

Packaging: The major pack on the island 

remained the 50-pound. sack. Some 

growers packed baled 10 5-pound film bags 

for Eastern chain store promotions during 

the fall months. Growers and brokers 

delivered to re-packers and wholesalers in 

New York City, Florida and North Carolina, 

and large size potatoes to foodservice 

accounts along the East Coast. 
29

NEW YORK CHIPPING POTATOES

2012 CROP

Statistics: According to the New York 

Agricultural Statistics Service, growers 

planted 17,000 acres for the 2012 season, 

up 500 acres from the previous crop year. 

Harvested acres totaled 16,500, just above 

the record low 16,000 acres harvested in 

2010. Yields for 2012 of 285 cwt. per acre 

were 14% higher than the previous season 

total of 250 cwt. per acre, although 11% 

lower than the record 320 cwt. per acre in 

2010. Production increased to 4.7 million 

cwt., 16% above the 2011 level. Chipping 

acreage is located generally in Western and 

Central New York, in Steuben, Wyoming, 

Wayne and Livingston counties. 

Approximately 5,000 acres were devoted to 

chip stock, with primary varieties grown 

Atlantic, Snowden, Andover and Marcy. 

According to NASS, the average price for 

the 2012 season totaled $15.70 per cwt., a 

$2.00 decrease from the previous season 

($15.70) with the value of production $64.4 

million dollars ($63.5 million in 2011). 

Nationally, potatoes used for chips and 

shoestrings totaled 56.3 million cwt., down 

4% from the 2011 season total of 58.6 

million cwt.

Growing and Harvest Season: Fieldwork 

and planting got underway in mid-to-late 

April. Warmer than normal temperatures 

were reported for much of May, and by the 

end of the month, potatoes were 75% 

planted, compared to the previous year at 

58% and the 5 year average of 75%. Heavy 

rains were noted across much of the state in 

early June; planting progress was slowed. 

However, most growers had finished by the 

end of the month. The state experienced 

above normal temperatures and scattered 

thunderstorms for much of July; heavy rains 

at the end of the month were beneficial to 

some areas that had not seen much 

precipitation. The heat continued through 

August with mostly dry conditions. Light 

harvesting got underway the first full week 

in August. Scattered showers prevailed in 

late August with heavy showers in the 

Eastern regions of the state. By midSeptember, harvest was 68% completed, 

well ahead of the 42% completion rate from 

the previous year and the 52% 5-year 

average. The first fall-like air mass of the 

season with below normal temperatures and 

dry conditions around September 20 and 

continued for the most part the remainder of 

the month, which slowed the harvest pace. 

Scattered frosts occurred in many areas the 

first half of October; however, harvest was 

generally completed in late October, on a 

normal schedule. 

Movement: Movement of out-of-the-field 

supplies began on schedule the week of 

August 5th at a slower pace and peaked in 

September. According to the Market News 

Service, movement for the 2012 season 

totaled nearly 2.4 million cwt., an increase 

of 25% over the previous season. The 

season ended on schedule the latter half of 

May. The major chip buyers in New York 

consisted of Wise Foods, EK Bare, Utz 

Quality Foods, Snyder’s of Berlin, Hurst, 

Pennsylvania Potato Co-op and Stowe 

Potato Sales, as well as several smaller 

regional snack food companies.

Stocks on hand: New York Agricultural 

Statistics Service reported stocks on hand 

December 1, 2012 totaled 2.7 million cwt., 

up 29 percent from 2.1 million cwt. the 

previous year. Storage accounted for 57% of 

the 2012 crop, up slightly from the previous 

season at 52%. Stocks on hand February 1, 

2013 totaled 1.2 million cwt. of potatoes, an 

increase of 20% from one year earlier. Due 

to budget concerns, no potato stocks were 

issued for the remainder of the 2012 season.
30

OHIO CHIPPING POTATOES

2012 CROP

Statistics: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, total 

harvested potato acreage totaled 1,400, 300 

less than the previous year, and 700 acres 

less than the 2010 season. Unofficial 

acreage for chip production was estimated 

between 500-600 acres for the state. This 

low figure again set a new record low 

number of harvested acres in the state since 

record-keeping began in 1866. Total 

production for the state was 308,000 cwt., a 

sharp decrease of 33% from the previous 

season (459,000 cwt.). Yields were low at 

220 cwt. per acre compared to 270 and 290 

the previous two seasons. The value of 

production was also sharply down at $3.6 

million ($5.6 million last season). 

Nationally, chip and shoestring usage was 

down 4% from the previous year at 56.3 

million cwt. The predominant chip growing 

area in the state was in western Ohio, from 

Findlay north to Toledo. 

Movement: The 2012 state’s chipping 

potato movement was reported at 65,440 

cwt., compared to 56,114 cwt. for the 

2011season, and sharply lower than the 

2010 season with 148,434 cwt., according to 

the Market News Service. The shipping 

season got underway the end of August and 

finished in early January. No open market 

sales were reported during the season as 

acreage was contracted.

Growing Season: Planting got off to an 

early start the end of March due to 

unseasonably warm temperatures. By the 

end of April, after several frost/freezes 

across much of the state, 48% of the 

potatoes were planted, sharply ahead of the 

5-year average of 21%. Warm temperatures 

prevailed through much of May: by the end 

of the month, potato planting was 

completed. The warm weather continued 

through July, although soils became dry 

from the lack of precipitation. Cooler 

temperatures and scattered showers were 

prevalent for much of August.

Harvesting Season: Initial chip harvest 

was underway the end of August. Cooler 

temperatures during September, 

accompanied by isolated showers slowed the 

harvest. Chip harvest was completed in 

early October. 
31

PENNSYLVANIA CHIPPING POTATOES

2012 CROP

Statistics: Pennsylvania harvested 8,600 

acres of potatoes, 800 more acres than the 

previous season, according to the 

Pennsylvania Agricultural Statistics Service. 

Planted acreage totaled 8,900 acres, 300 and 

600 acres less than the previous two seasons. 

The predominant plantings were in the 

Northwestern, East Central and Central 

districts of the state. Total potato production 

of 2.2 million cwt. increased 10% (2 

million cwt.) from the previous crop year. 

Yields for 2012 tied the previous season at 

260 cwt. per acre and were up 15 cwt. from 

the 2010 season, although dropped sharply 

from the record yield of 310 cwt. per acre in 

2009. Predominant chipping varieties 

grown were Atlantic, Snowden, Pike, 

Andover and Marcy. According to NASS, 

the average price received for the 2012 

calendar year potato crop was up sharply to 

$16.80 cwt., compared to $12.10 the 

previous two seasons, while the value of 

production totaled $37.5 million dollars for 

the year, up 53% from the 2011 season total 

of $24.5 million dollars. Potatoes used for 

chips and shoestrings nationally totaled 56.3 

million cwt. in 2012, down 4% from the 

previous year (58.7)

Growing Season: Due to unseasonably 

warm temperatures in late March, planting 

was underway by mid-April. By the end of 

the month, planting was 53% completed, 

compared to only 2% the previous year, and 

the 5-year average of 14%. Scattered 

showers in mid-May slowed the planting 

pace momentarily; however, most growers 

finished in early June, ahead of normal. 

June and July continued with above normal 

temperatures and drier conditions. 

Harvesting Season: Light harvest of field 

supplies began the end of July. By midAugust, 22% of the crop had been harvested, 

ahead of last year by 6% and the 5-year 

average of 9%. Scattered showers did little 

to slow harvest. By October 1st, 90% of the 

crop had been harvested, compared to 46% 

the previous crop year, and the 5 year 

average of 65%. By the middle of the 

month, harvest was completed, much earlier 

than the previous year.

Shipments peaked with field supplies late

August through September. Movement to 

storage became active in mid-September. 

The shipping season concluded on a normal 

schedule and was completed in early April

with a total of 587,673 cwt., a slight increase 

over the 2011 season total of 595,937 cwt.,

according to the Market News Service. 

There were no open market prices reported 

this year as most growers planted for 

contracted sales only. 
32

MARKETING COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTONUMATILLA BASIN OREGON POTATOES

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: According to the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service, 

Washington planted acreage was 165,000 

acres in 2012, a 3 percent increase from 

2011s 160,000 acres. Washington’s yield 

per acre in 2012 was 585 hundredweight 

(cwt), a 4 percent decrease from 2011s yield 

of 610 cwt. Washington’s production in 

2012 was 95,940,000 cwt, a 2 percent 

decrease from 2011s production of 

97,600,000 cwt. Oregon’s planted acreage 

was 42,000 acres in 2012, a 5 percent 

increase from 2011s planted acreage of 

40,000. Oregon’s yield in 2012 was 550 cwt 

per acre, a 6 percent decrease from 2011s 

yield of 585 cwt per acre. Oregon’s 

production in 2012 was 22,935,000 cwt, a 

slight decrease from 2011s production of 

23,342,000 cwt.

Shipments: Shipments for the 2012 season 

for Columbia Basin Washington were 

7,918,000 cwt, of which 3,930,000 cwt were 

exports. This was a 7 percent decrease from 

2011s shipments of 8,540,000 cwt, of which 

1,874,000 cwt were exports. Shipments for 

the 2012 season for Umatilla Basin Oregon 

were 2,206,000 cwt, of which 360,000 cwt 

were exports. This was an 11 percent 

increase from 2011s shipments of 1,979,000 

cwt, of which 287,000 cwt were exports.

The peak shipping month for Columbia 

Basin Washington was August 2012 with 

1,167,000 cwt shipped and for Umatilla 

Basin Oregon was July 2012 with 296,000 

cwt shipped.

Crop & Weather: For the Columbia 

Basin, Washington, in February 2012, total 

precipitation in Franklin County was around 

80 percent of the normal due to several good 

weekends in the month that saw day-long 

rain. Around an inch of snow was received 

earlier in the month. There were high gusty 

winds for several days in the later part of 

February. Ground was worked up for the 

planting of early potatoes. In Kittitas 

County, temperatures were cool and the area 

received average moisture for the month. 

Mountain snowpack looked to be in good 

shape and reservoirs were mostly above 

average for the year. Farmers were getting 

equipment ready and waiting for the ground 

to dry out before starting to work the fields.

By the end of March, southern Franklin 

County potato growers were furiously 

working and planting with about 45 percent 

of expected acreage completed. Planting in 

Benton and Adams Counties was well 

underway. Statewide, planting was 25 

percent complete compared to 22 percent in 

2011. In Grant County, recent rains greatly 

improved moisture conditions. Fieldwork 

was being done in preparation of planting. 

Irrigation water was expected to be made 

available by April 9, 2012.

Temperatures for the first week in April in 

Franklin County were cooler than normal, 

with several early morning frost days. 

Nominal precipitation was received 

countywide and winds were light. Field 
33

activity was heavy with potato planting 

continuing. In the Columbia Basin, planting 

increased rapidly throughout the month and 

by the end of April the crop was 77 percent 

planted compared to 71 percent in 2011 and 

16 percent emerged compared to 9 percent 

in 2011. Crop condition was 61 percent fair 

and 39 percent good.

In Franklin County the first week of May, 

temperatures were below normal with cool 

early mornings. Trace precipitation was 

received early in the week. Very isolated 

short interval rains fell in parts of the 

County Wednesday just north of Pasco with 

some small area hail reported. No crop 

damage reports were received and none 

were expected. Almost all of the remaining 

potato fields were planted. Planting was 

finished in Grant County by the first week in 

May. In Kittitas County, the weather was 

rather turbulent with strong winds, a little 

rain, and not very warm temperatures. 

Potatoes were being planted and expected to 

continue for the next 10 days. In mid-May, 

temperatures early in the week for Franklin 

County were average during the day but 

colder than normal in the late evenings and 

early mornings. In Klickitat home gardens, 

the first potatoes were emerging. By the end 

of May, 98 percent of the crop had been 

planted compared to 95 percent in 2011 and 

85 percent had emerged compared to 61 

percent in 2011. Franklin County 

temperatures continued to be slightly cooler 

than normal with a trace of precipitation 

towards the end of the weeks. Potatoes 

continued to emerge. In Kittitas County, 

producers began cultivating potatoes. Local 

reservoirs were filled to the brim without 

complete melt off of the snowpack in the 

Cascades. Temperatures were cooler than 

normal with heavy winds and precipitation 

for the year was slightly below average. 

Conditions had been very dry the last week 

in May.

Planting was complete by mid-June. 

Emergence was at 100 percent by the end of 

the first week of July. Crop condition at that 

point was 1 percent very poor, 1 percent 

poor, 30 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 

22 percent excellent. In Franklin County, 

potatoes were being harvested at the south 

end of the County. Temperatures were near 

normal with a high of 90 degrees at the end 

of the week. Humidity was above normal 

and there was no precipitation. By the end 

of July, harvest in the Columbia Basin was 8 

percent complete. 

Mid-August brought normal temperatures in 

Franklin County, no precipitation and light 

breezes. Open-market and processing 

potatoes were being harvested with little 

going into storage. Weather was very hot in 

Kittitas County which produced excellent 

potatoes. Harvest was 24 percent complete 

compared to 21 percent in 2011.

By the weekending September 9, nearly all 

the open-market potatoes were harvested in 

Franklin County while the majority of the 

storage potatoes (large Russets) were in the 

ground. Some of these fields received vine 

kill applications. Harvest was underway in 

Grant County. Harvest continued 

throughout the Columbia Basin the rest of 
34

September at which time 61 percent of the 

State’s potatoes had been harvested. 

The first week in October brought cool to 

cold temperatures to Franklin County from 

the early evenings through 9:00-10:00 in the 

morning with heavy dews. There were 

several evenings and morning that dipped 

below freezing. Harvest continued in Grant 

County. By the end of October, 

temperatures were a little warmer than 

normal in Franklin County. This was based 

on a precipitation front that moved in early 

in the week according to the Hanford 

Meteorological reports. The area received 

.65 inches of rain. Harvest continued but 

intermittently for the rain and sloppy fields. 

Harvest was complete in the State by midNovember.

For the Umatilla Basin, Oregon, warm 

temperatures and sunshine in mid-May 

brought growth to crops in the region. Potato 

fields were beginning to cover the rows. 

The last week of May was a cooler, wetter 

week helping many field crops in Umatilla 

County. 

June brought warmer temperatures bringing 

additional growth to field crops and potato 

circles were doing well. During the rest of 

the month of June and then continuing on 

through July, the weather continued to be 

dry and warm. The crop was growing well 

and was expected to produce high yields. 

Thunderstorms during the weekending July 

22 caused damage in Umatilla and Union 

Counties. The storms caused flash flooding 

and started small fires burning between 30-

200 acres in areas in Umatilla County. In 

Union County, rain and golf ball sized hail 

caused significant damage to the 

commercial potato crop.

Mid-August was hot and dry. Early potatoes 

were being dug and quality appeared to be 

good. Harvest started in earnest the first of 

September. The warm, dry weather 

continued through September and October, 

making harvest conditions ideal. By midOctober, temperatures were beginning to 

cool down and the first rain of Fall fell. 

Harvest was generally complete by the end 

of October.

Marketing: The first report of Round Reds 

was issued during the weekending July 21, 

2012. 50-pound cartons of U.S. One size A 

was $8.00. The last report was issued 

during the weekending August 11, 2012 at 

$6.00-8.00.

The first report of Yellow Type was issued 

during weekending July 21, 2012. 50-pound 

cartons of U.S. One size A was $12.00. The 

last report was issued the weekending 

August 11, 2012 at $10.00-12.00.

The first report of Russet Norkotahs was 

issued during the weekending August 11,

2012. 50-pound cartons of U.S. One 70s 

was $8.00-9.00. The last report was issued 

during the weekending July 27, 2013 at $ 

16.00. 
35

MARKETING NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON POTATOES

2012 CROP

Production: Due to lack of cooperation NASS was unable to compile statistics for Skagit 

County potato production for the crop year 2012.

Weather and Crop Conditions: By the end 

of May...with more rain on the way, it was 

shaping up to be the worst year for the 

Skagit Valley. The by the end of June 

conditions were hot and dry and rain was 

needed in order to keep the irrigators in the 

barn for another week. Then late July rolled 

in and crops are looking really good right 

now considering the spring and non-summer 

we have been having. Crops were 3 weeks 

behind schedule. By late August a timely 

rain was received and heavy dew in the 

mornings helped to add much needed 

moisture to the dry conditions. By late 

September temperatures climbed back up 

into the 80s during the week, along with 

some fog and dew. Cool temperatures and 

heavy rainfall over the weekend convinced 

Potatoes: Acreage, Yield, & Production, By Counties, Washington, 2010-2011

County and District

2010 2011

Planted Harvested Yield Production Planted Harvested Yield Production

Acres Cwt Acres Cwt

COU NTY

Adams

Benton

Franklin 32,700 32,600 712 23,204,000

Grant 34,000 33,900 690 23,391,000 43,000 43,000 580 24,933,000

Lincoln

Skagit 8,100 7,300 390 2,845,000 9,500 9,500 352 3,343,000

Walla Walla

Whatcom

Yakima

Other Counties 60,200 60,200 648 39,000,000 107,500 107,500 645 69,324,000

DISTRICT

West 10,600 9,800 388 3,800,000 12,500 12,500 355 4,438,000

Central

Northeast

East Central 92,000 91,800 675 62,000,000 105,500 105,500 601 63,359,000

Southeast

Other Districts 32,400 32,400 699 22,640,000 42,000 42,000 710 29,803,000

STATE 

STATE TOTAL 135,000 134,000 660 88,440,000 160,000 160,000 610 97,600,000
36

potato producers that fall had arrived. By 

late October potato harvest was around 95 

percent complete across all regions of the 

state including the Skagit Valley. Then 

November rolled in with unseasonably 

warm temperatures in the latter part of the 

month, which was welcomed by potato 

growers who took advantage of the sunny 

days with no rain to complete fall work and 

prep fields for next year

Shipments: Round Red is king in Skagit 

County with 1,185,990 cwt shipped out of 

the total 1,963,101 cwt shipped. Long 

White accounted for 316,311 and Yellow 

Type 392,435 cwt. Mount Vernon shippers 

started shipping on weekending September 

1, 2012 and finished on weekending June 1, 

2013. The weekending November 19 just 

prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday saw the 

biggest volume shipped at 113,010 cwt.

Marketing: Long White, Round Red and 

Yellow Type prices were collected starting 

weekending September 22, 2012. Yellow 

Type ended weekending February 02, 2013; 

Round Red ended weekending April 27, 

2013; and Long White ended weekending 

December 22, 2012.

Long Whites: 50-pound carton size A, U.S. 

One opened at $16.00 per carton and closed 

at $14.00-16.00. Long White is a short 

season crop in Skagit County. Long Whites 

are run strictly out of the field; none go into 

storage. The season ran from week ending 

September 22-December 22.

Round Reds: 50-pound carton size A, U.S. 

One opened at $12.00-14.00 per carton then 

closed at $16.00. They never traded lower 

than $10.00-12.00 in February-March. 

Yellow Type: 50-pound carton size A, U.S. 

One opened at $14.00-16.00 per carton 

closed at $14.00-16.00. They never traded 

higher than $16.00 or lower than $14.00.

Transportation Trends: Piggy-back 

continues to be an alternate method of 

transportation because of the limited 

availability of trucks and rail cars. 

However, piggy-back account for slightly 

less than 5 percent of total shipments. 

Another transportation opportunity for 

Skagit County shippers is Railex with 

Corporate Headquarters in Riverhead, New 

York. The shipping facility is located in 

Pasco, Washington. Railex delivers 

potatoes/produce weekly, coast to coast in 

four days, from Pasco to its Rotterdam, New 

York facility. The Albany, New York area 

is unique in that Railex can service 5 major 

cities in four hours or less. It is extremely 

well served by rail, yet lacks the congestion 

associated with major metropolitan areas. 

This combination makes for a highly 

efficient transfer of goods to market that can 

be coupled with high volume and consistent 

supply through Railex's platform. Mount 

Vernon shippers are indeed pleased with the 

additional opportunity for shipping into the 

lucrative East Coast market. However, 

Market News is unable to report the rail 

shipments out of Skagit County. 

Transportation by truck was extremely 

difficult again in 2012. Trucks were 

extremely short and the cost of trucks was 

also very high, but for the most part shippers 

did not have to discount the potato prices to 

accommodate the transportation costs. In 

other words, the customer was willing to pay 

the high price of transportation to get 

“America’s finest potato crop”.
37

MARKETING CENTRAL WISCONSIN POTATOES

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: According to the 

USDA National Agricultural Statistics 

Service, Wisconsin potato planted acreage in 

2012 was 64,500 acres, more than 2011s 

63,000 acres. In 2012, Wisconsin continued 

to be the third largest State producer of 

potatoes in the United States. Harvested 

acreage in 2012 was 64,000 acres, more than 

2011s 62,500 acres. Yield per acre was 460 

hundredweight (cwt) in 2012, an increase 

from 2011s yield of 415 cwt. Production in 

2012 was 29,400,000 cwt, a 14 percent 

increase from 2011s production of 

25,200,000 cwt.

Shipments: Shipments from Central 

Wisconsin in 2012 were 7,354,616, a twelve 

percent increase from 2011 shipments of 

6,458,000 cwt. The peak shipping month 

was November at 1,054,735 cwt. All of the 

potatoes were shipped by truck. There are 

no rail shipments out of Wisconsin.

Crop & Weather: In the month of March, 

Wisconsin recorded the warmest 

temperatures in recorded history. Most 

locations in the State were between 15 and 

30 degrees above normal. Precipitation 

during the March was well below normal. 

No snow was recorded in the State after 

March 8th. The early warm spring and 

absence of precipitation allowed for early 

planting.

Most of the potatoes had been planted in 

Central and Southern areas of Wisconsin by 

the middle of April. Some of the earlier 

planted fields started to emerge by the 

middle of April. This prompted additional 

plant maintenance needs including fertilizer 

side dressing and hilling. . At this point, 

there was a fear among growers that the 

early crop could be subjected and vulnerable 

to a late freeze. 

On May 2nd and 3rd, heavy rainfall 

averaged 2 to 4 inches in many areas across 

the State. During this same period of time, 

some areas in Central Wisconsin had 

flooding, hail and flooding conditions. By 

the middle of May planting was in progress 

in Northern Wisconsin. Another storm 

system pounded Central Wisconsin on May 

24th with wind gusts between 60 and 85 

mph. By late May even the late fields were 

planted in the Antigo area. 

By June 18th to 20th a heat wave was 

starting to take shape in southeastern 

Wisconsin. During this period the heat index 

reached 96 degrees. From July 1st to July 

7th a heat wave affected a large part of 
38

Wisconsin with temperatures reaching up to 

106 degrees in the southern half of the State. 

July ended up being the 4th warmest in 

recorded history. 

The drought conditions persisted into the fall 

months across a majority of Wisconsin. By 

the end of August much of the southern twothirds of the State was in a severe to extreme 

drought situation. Had it not been for some 

irrigation of the potatoes, yields would have 

been depressed even further. 

The first new crop round red potatoes was 

harvested starting the last week of July. By 

mid-August Yellow Type potato harvest had 

started and by late August the Russet 

Norkotahs harvest had started. The harvest 

continued into late September with a 

majority of the crop being harvested by then. 

Some late blight affected some latter planted 

fields in Ten Wisconsin Counties. The late 

blight was of the US-23 clonal lineage. 

The longer growing season during 2012 

allowed for extending tuber bulking and 

thereby larger yields where irrigation was 

available

Marketing: The first report of Round Reds 

was issued July 25, 2012. 50-pound sacks 

of U.S. One size A was $7.00-8.50. The last 

report was issue on January 15, 2012 at 

mostly $8.50.

The first report for Yellow Types was issued 

during the week ending August 11, 2012. 

50-pound cartons of U.S. One size A were 

$11.00-13.00. The last report was issued 

during the week ending November 3, 2012 

at mostly $10.00-10.50.

No report was issued for Round Whites 

during the 2012 shipping season. 

The first report of Russet Norkotahs was 

issued during the week ending August 24, 

2012. Baled 5 10-pound film bags non size 

A were $7.00-7.50. 50-pound cartons of 

U.S. One 70s were mostly $11.50-12.00. 

The last report was issued during the week 

ending June 15, 2013 with 50-pound cartons 

of U.S. One 70s at $10.00-12.00, mostly 

$11.00. Baled 5 10-pound film bags non size 

A were mostly $8.00.

No prices were issued for chipper potatoes 

in the 2012 season as most movement was 

contracted or open sales were in the hands of 

too few growers, with too few prices 

reported to establish a market. 
39

MARKETING VIRGINA POTATOES

2012 CROP

Harvesting & Marketing: 

Round White Potatoes: Harvest of the 

2012 Virginia potato crop began slightly 

earlier than normal due to a mild winter and 

warmer than normal spring. Virginia 

Market News Service began reporting 

shipping point prices on June 18, 2012 with 

the first F.O.B. Eastern Shore price quoted 

at $9.00-10.00 per 50-pound sack of Round 

White, US One, Size A potatoes. From the 

very beginning of the harvest, demand for 

Virginia potatoes was down from previous 

years due to an increase in supplies in 

competing areas. Unfortunately, prices 

began to fall almost immediately and by the 

end of the month were reported at $8.00. 

Demand was generally fairly light. On July 

5, Round White prices had dropped to $7.00 

and by the middle of the month were quoted 

as a range of $6.00-7.00. By the end of July, 

demand for Round White Size A potatoes 

was light and prices were $5.00-6.00. The 

last reported price was on August 3 although 

light shipments continued until the middle of 

the month. 

Prices for the large 23⁄4 to 41⁄2 inch “Chef” 

Round White potatoes were first reported on 

June 18 at $12.00-13.00 per 50-pound sack. 

Prices increased to $13.00 on June 21 as 

supplies of the larger size potatoes were 

fairly light. Chef prices improved to $14.00 

on July 16 before returning to the $13.00 

level at the end of the month. By early 

August, supplies of the “Chef” potatoes had 

increased and prices began to drop. The 

final reported price was $12.00-13.00 per 

50-pound sack on August 3.

Russet Potatoes: Russet potatoes continue 

to be an important crop for many Virginia 

growers although fewer were planted in 

2012 than 2011. As is typically the case, 

harvesting of Russets did not start until early 

July. 50-pound cartons of Russets started 

the season at $10.00. Later in the month, 

prices for 40 to 80 count cartons decreased 

to $8.00-9.00 with a few sales lower. Prices 

for Russets in tote bags began July at mostly 

$13.00 per hundredweight (cwt) but began 

to fall later in the month. Throughout most 

of the month of July, Russet tote prices were 

mostly $10.00-12.00 per cwt compared to 

$24.00 per cwt in 2011, $16.00 per cwt in 

2010 and $10.00-14.00 per cwt in 2009. 

Round Red Potatoes: Round Red prices 

were first reported on June 25 at $10.00 for 

50-pound sacks of US One, Size A and 

$18.00 for Size B. Demand was moderate 

for Red potatoes early in the season. Round 

Red prices began to decrease in early July 

and by mid-July had fallen to $8.00 for Size 

A and $14.00 for Size B. By the end of the 

season, demand was fairly light and prices 

decreased to $7.00 for Size A and $12.00 for 

Size B. Market conditions were 

disappointing compared to 2011 when 

demand was good and prices were as high as 

$20.00 for Size A and $22.00 for Size B. 

Yellow Flesh Potatoes: Yellow flesh 

potato prices were first reported on July 5 at 

$15.00 for 50-pound sacks of US One, Size 

A. Demand for Yellow potatoes started out 

the season as moderate but later decreased to 

fairly light. As a result of the decreased 

demand, prices began to decline fairly 

quickly. By July 12, prices were reported at 

$13.00-14.00 per sack. Later in the month, 

prices dropped to $10.00-12.00. Movement 

of Yellow flesh potatoes was fairly slow for 

much of the year and prices were a 

disappointment compared to 2011 when 
40

they ranged from $20.00-25.00 per 50-

pound sack. 

Production & Quality: Total Virginia 

production in 2012 was estimated at 

1,225,000 hundredweight (cwt) by the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service, 

compared to 1,180,000 cwt in 2011, 952,000 

cwt in 2010, 1,656,000 cwt in 2009 and 

1,254,000 cwt in 2008. Yields in 2012 were 

up considerably from the previous two 

years. Dry conditions in 2011 and 

especially 2010 caused yields to be lower 

than average and significantly lowered the 

overall production during those years. 

A mild winter and warmer than normal 

spring allowed the crop to develop faster 

than normal although at times conditions 

were dry. By irrigating during the dry 

conditions, Virginia growers were able to 

reduce crop losses, improve yields and 

produce a good quality crop. Record heat 

during the first week of July did cause 

concerns and there were some crop losses 

later in the year attributed to the extremely 

hot conditions. 

Shipments: Despite slower movement of 

the crop, shipments of Virginia potatoes 

increased compared to 2011 and especially 

2010 when extremely dry weather 

conditions led to very low yields and 

significant crop losses. Approximately 

2,210 truck lot equivalents (50,000 pounds) 

were shipped in 2012 compared to 1,732 in 

2011. The increase in shipments was the 

result of improved yields which led to 

higher production. 

Shipments during June 2012 accounted for 

13% of the crop compared to 17% in 2011 

and 9% in 2010. July 2012 shipments 

represented nearly 66% of the crop 

compared to 80% in 2011 and 90% in 2010. 

Over 21% of the crop was shipped in August 

compared to only 3% in 2011 and less than 

1% in 2010. The significantly higher 

percentage of August shipments can be 

attributed to the slower movement of the 

crop which led to more potatoes being left to 

market late in the season.

Markets & Competition: Market 

conditions for Virginia potatoes were 

disappointing in 2012, especially when 

compared to the high prices and good 

demand of 2011. The major reason for the 

poor market conditions was a significant 

increase in supplies of new crop summer 

potatoes not only in Virginia but also in 

competing areas. Production in the spring 

growing areas increased over 8% while 

production in the summer growing areas 

increased by 35%. Much of the summer 

production increase was in the Midwest 

which had suffered severe production losses 

in 2011 due to heavy rain and flooding. 

Other competing areas with significant 

production increases in 2012 included North 

Carolina at 25%, California at 7% and 

Florida at 4%. Overall, the combined spring 

and summer production increased over 17% 

from 2011. As can be expected, such a large 

increase in production had a significant 

impact on market conditions and caused a 

decrease in demand and prices for Virginia 

potatoes. Another factor that had a negative 

impact was that warmer than normal 

temperatures allowed northern areas to start 

harvesting earlier than usual which led to an 

increase in available supplies during 

Virginia’s marketing season. For much of 

July, Virginia growers were competing not 

only with the remaining storage potatoes and 

new crop California potatoes in the West, 

but just about every potato producing area in 

the East, Midwest and North as well. It was 

a stark contrast to 2011 when crop losses 

and harvest delays in many spring and 
41

summer growing areas led to a shortage of 

potatoes during Virginia’s marketing season.

Canada has typically been an important 

market for Virginia potato growers but 

shipments to Canada have been relatively 

low during many of the past years. 

Fortunately, for the second consecutive year 

demand from Canada did improve. Virginia 

potato growers shipped 242 loads (50,000 

pounds) to Canada in 2012, compared to 170 

loads in 2011, 60 loads in 2010, 108 loads in 

2009 and 61 loads in 2008. It was the 

highest total shipped to Canada since 2002 

when 337 loads were exported. Over the 

past ten years, Virginia growers have 

shipped an average of 128 loads per year to 

Canada so the nearly 250 loads in 2012 

represented a nice improvement. A 

significant decrease in Canadian storage 

potatoes, especially in the Eastern Provinces 

of New Brunswick, Ontario and Prince 

Edward Island, led to the increase in 

shipments to Canada in 2012. 

Varieties: Of the 167.1 loads (50,000 

pounds) of seed imported and inspected 

during the 2012 season, Superiors accounted 

for nearly 30% of the total, once again 

making it the most popular of all varieties 

grown in Virginia. The next most planted 

tablestock potato was the Envol, an early 

maturing variety that has become 

increasingly popular with buyers. Envols 

accounted for over 8% of the potatoes 

planted in 2012 and was the third most 

popular. 

Chipping varieties accounted for the second, 

fourth and seventh most popular with 

Atlantic at 10.2%, Snowden at 7.6% and FL1867, a Frito Lay variety, at 3.7%. A 

variety that saw a big increase in 2011 was 

the Beacon Chipper but it fell from nearly 

3% to 1.7% in 2012. The Beacon Chipper 

variety seems to hold up better in hot 

conditions than Atlantics but the specific 

gravity may be a little lower than chippers 

prefer.

Use of Russet potatoes decreased in 2012 

following an increase in 2011. Russet 

varieties accounted for nearly 12% of the 

potatoes planted in 2012 compared to over 

15% in 2011, 12% in 2010, 21% in 2009 

and 20% in 2008. The top Russet varieties 

included the fifth ranked Norkotah at 6% 

and twelfth ranked Gold Rush at 2%.

Red potatoes continue to play an important 

role for Virginia potato growers with the 

Red Norland the ninth most popular at 3.5% 

and the Dark Red Norland ranked eleventh 

at 2.8%. All Red varieties accounted for 

nearly 8% in 2012, down from 9.4% in 2011 

and 9.7% in 2010. Red potatoes have 

ranged between 7% and 10% since 2003 

after accounting for a high of 14% in 2002. 

The Yellow flesh Yukon Gold was the sixth 

most popular at 4.8%, up from 3.4% in

2011, 4.2% in 2010 and 2% in 2009. Yellow 

flesh varieties accounted for 6.3% of the 

potatoes grown in both 2012 and 2011 

compared to nearly 8% in 2010. Between 

2002 and 2009, Yellow potatoes ranged 

between 4% and 6% after accounting for a 

high of 9% in 2001
42

VIRGINA CHIPPING POTATOES

2012 CROP

Chipstock Potatoes: Chipstock potatoes 

continue to be a very important part of 

Virginia’s potato crop and in 2012 they 

represented over 40% of the total shipments. 

Harvesting of chipstock potatoes began the 

first week of July with peak shipments 

occurring in mid to late July. Chipstock 

potatoes were sold primarily based on 

preseason contracts and were mostly $12.75 

to $13.00 per hundredweight (cwt). An 

increase in supplies of chipstock potatoes, 

due primarily to higher acreage in 

competing areas as well as improved yields 

and crop conditions, led to lower demand for 

Virginia chipstock potatoes. As a result, 

movement of the crop was disappointing and 

harvesting continued into late August. It 

was a significant difference from 2011 when 

low storage supplies, crop failures in the 

Midwest, low yields due to dry conditions in 

new crop growing areas and harvest delays 

in areas to the north all combined to cause 

shortages of chipstock potatoes. 

As a result of the increase of chipstock 

potatoes, there were very few open market 

sales in 2012. A few early open market 

sales were made at $6.50-7.50 per cwt but as 

it became apparent that there were abundant 

supplies in competing new crop areas like 

North Carolina and New Jersey, the open 

market price began to drop. Most open 

market sales for Virginia chipstock potatoes 

were in the $5.00-6.00 per cwt range. It was 

a huge contrast from 2011 when open 

market prices were as high as $20.00 per 

cwt. 
43

VIRGINA SEED POTATOES

2012 CROP

Seed Potato Imports by Origin: Canada 

replaced Maine as the leading supplier of 

seed potatoes to Virginia in 2012. Seed 

shipments from Canada increased to nearly 

43% of the seed that was inspected during 

the 2012 season, an increase from 33% in 

2011. In 2010, approximately 29% of the 

seed originated from Canada compared to 

40% in 2009 and 24% in 2008. Of the 

Canadian seed shipped in 2012, 52.7% came 

from New Brunswick with 23.8% from 

Quebec and 23.5% from Prince Edward 

Island. Maine shipped slightly over 33% of 

the seed that was inspected during the 2012 

season which was a decrease from 50% in 

2011. Shipments from Maine accounted for 

48% in 2010, 40% in 2009 and 57% in 

2008. Wisconsin was the third most popular 

origin at nearly 10%, compared to 10% in 

2011, 13% in 2010, 9% in 2009 and 12% in 

2008. Seed from New York accounted for 

slightly over 6% in 2012, compared to 

nearly 5% in 2011, 10% in 2010, 9% in 

2009 and 7% in 2008. Other states that 

shipped seed potatoes to Eastern Shore of 

Virginia growers included Colorado, North 

Dakota and Michigan. 
44

MARKETING NEW BRUNSWICK POTATOES

2012 CROP

Production: According to Statistics 

Canada, New Brunswick potato production 

increased to 13.9 million cwt., an increase 

of 17% over the previous season total of 

11.9 million cwt. Harvested acreage of

52,500 acres, increased 8% over the

48,500 acres the previous crop year. Yields 

increased (20 cwt.) to 265 cwt. per acre

over the 2011 crop final report. Total 

Canadian production topped 100 million 

cwt., 9% above the 2011 season finish of 

nearly 92 million cwt., and was the smallest 

crop since the 1991 season.

Movement: Disappearance to U.S. markets 

(399,869 cwt.) through December 2012 

dropped sharply from the previous two 

seasons: 32% (588,651 cwt.) and 47% 

(754,040 cwt.) respectively. These figures 

were compiled with data issued from the 

U.S. Commerce Department, Agriculture 

and Agri-Food Canada and finalized by 

Statistics Canada. Mid-season shipments 

improved slightly and by the end of March 

2013, movement of 864, 290 cwt. was 

reported; this was 21% off the pace of the 

previous season and 45% below the 2010 

crop year. The season total through July 

2013 of 1.2 million cwt. decreased sharply 

(21%) from the 2011 season (1.5 million 

cwt.) and 55% from the 2010 season 

shipments to the United States through the 

same time period (2.7 million cwt.). Access 

to the States is made through the major 

border crossing at Houlton, Maine, with 

lighter shipments entering through Fort 

Fairfield and Bridgewater, Maine. New 

Brunswick has predominantly been a 

processing (french-fry) region, with nearly 

60% of production devoted to this market. 

Growing and Harvest Season: A warm, 

dry spring provided excellent planting and 

growing conditions, similar to those found 

by growers in Aroostook County, Maine. 

Timely showers and plenty of sunshine 

promoted above average stands in most 

locations across the province. Much of the 

crop was planted by early June, well ahead 

of the norm. Some heavy rains were 

reported in late June, but dry and above 

normal temperatures followed in July and 

August, with some stands stressed. Some 

early harvest of Round Whites for domestic 

use began in September, while Russet 

growers delayed harvest as long as possible 

in hopes of bulking the crop due to the hot 
45

and dry conditions. Most harvesting was 

completed by the end of October. 

Marketing Season: The U.S. Department 

of Agriculture Market News Service issued 

the first fob shipping report on Russet 

Norkotah mid-November with US One or 

Canada No. One washed 2 inch or 4 ounce 

minimum baled 10 5-pound film bags from 

$6.50-7.00, sharply lower than the 2011 

season start when baled 5s brought $9.25-

9.50. Consumer packs remained flat 

throughout the season, as additional acreage 

and strong yields in the Western U.S. left 

markets with an oversupply, particularly for 

the bag market. Tote bags continued their 

popularity as Russet Norkotah US One or 

Canada No. One tote bags (approximately 

2000 lbs) were shipped to the States 2 inch 

or 4 ounce minimum 2” or 4 ounce 

minimum from $9.00-9.50 cwt., at least 

$3.00 cwt. below the 2011 season onset, and 

5-9 ounce tote began the season at $11.00-

11.50 cwt.. By the end of March, the 2” of 4 

ounce minimum tote bags slipped to $8.00-

9.00 cwt., sharply lower than one year 

earlier when tote bags had climbed to 

$17.00-17.50 cwt.

By mid-May. Prices began to ease upward 

on tote bags, with prices that ranged from 

$10.00-12.00 cwt. for the 4-9 ounce; 

however, baled 5s remained in the $6.50-

7.00 range. Strong demand for cartons 

(bakers) in the Western States kept 

consumer spuds at low margins, as sheds 

continued to run extra potatoes to fill the 

larger carton orders. Thus, the floors 

remained jammed with consumers in need of 

a home. After Memorial Day, the U.S. 

potato market began to climb out of the rock 

bottom market prices, and demand and 

prices improved. The last pricing report was 

issued June 14 with U.S. No.1 or Canada 

No. 1 tote bags approx. 2000 pounds per 

cwt. 4-9 ounce ranged from $12.00-15.00.

Stocks on Hand: New Brunswick’s potato 

holdings on December 1, 2012 totaled 

10.277 (‘000) cwt., up 26% from the 

previous holdings of 8.125 (‘000) cwt. one 

year earlier. However, the December 2011 

holdings were the lowest reported in 20 

years. By June 1, stocks on hand in the 

province were still at much higher levels 

than the previous season at 2.3 million cwt. 

(.6 million cwt.). Total Canada stocks at the 

same time of 14.8 million cwt. also 

increased over one year earlier by 32% (11.1 

million cwt.). However, by the middle of 

June, remaining table supplies rested in few 

hands; light packing continued through July 

and were sent to the States.