Stocks left over from last year are minimal and acreage is Idaho and other key places is down.
Yields are projected to be average at best.
“Overall, I think everybody is predicting a tight market,” said Victoria Stamper, general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada based on Prince Edward Island.
Potato acreage in Canada is estimated at 385,000, almost identical to acres from 2021. Alberta saw a 5.6 percent increase in acres but acres on Prince Edward Island declined by 6.4 percent.
In the U.S., total acreage dropped to 910,000 – down 3.5 percent from the previous year.
Idaho, which dominates potato production in America, saw acres sink by 7.9 percent.
My wish is that farmers would take more care harvesting the crop. I'm routinely disappointed by the high percentage of bruised and cut potatoes available in our supermarkets.
By contrast, spuds from Idaho are usually perfect.
