Large US potato crop, low prices expected to keep demand for Canadian imports low

U.S. demand for Canadian table potatoes could be down due to the large U.S. potato crop and extremely low prices, according to a Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) market report.

“North American Potato Market News (NAPMN) expects Canadian growers to produce 122.2 million cwt of potatoes in 2025. That is 6.0 million cwt, or 4.7%, less than the country produced during 2024,” according to the report.

U.S. chip potato supplies and demand appear to be balanced with a limited amount of open-market activity, as Michigan growers have started storing chip potatoes. Reports indicate that Michigan’s early chip potato yields have been average, but solids have been below average.

According to MPIC, the state experienced about 10 days of cool weather during the first part of the month, which was ideal for harvesting. Since then, temperatures have warmed up.

“Crops could use some rain to improve harvest conditions and prevent pressure bruise problems in storage,” according to MPIC, which noted current forecasts show temperatures in the mid-80s for the next five days, with partly sunny skies. 

Growing conditions across Canada have been mixed during the past month. Prince Edward Island (PEI) and parts of New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario did not receive the rain needed to finish this year’s potato crop. 

On the other hand, the Prairie Provinces and British Columbia have experienced mostly favorable growing conditions. Chip potato supplies are expected to be down in Ontario and Quebec.

“Though NAPMN does not have the exact split between potatoes for each sector, total combined production in those provinces could be down 4.7%. Supplies could also be tight in PEI and New Brunswick,” MPIC reported.

Canada’s table potato supplies will be down this year. Combined production for the four major table potato producing provinces could be down 8.9% or more. Table potato production in the Prairie Provinces and British Columbia could increase.

Fuente: Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC). Original report here