Packer Stories

05/15/2013

As north Florida begins spring volume up to two weeks late, buyers can expect lower red potato supplies to keep demand high and prices above normal.

05/10/2013

"True or False: Genetically modified fruits and vegetables will be commonplace in 10 years in the U.S. fresh produce market.”

05/09/2013

Boise, Idaho-based J.R. Simplot has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove regulations on its genetically modified potato varieties because no non-potato genes were involved.

05/03/2013

Blogger Amie Valpone of “The Healthy Apple” and the Idaho Potato Commission have partnered for National Celiac Awareness Month in May.

05/01/2013

A potato waffle recipe took first place in the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association’s Cinco de Mayo contest.

Market Scope - Potatoes — F.o.b.s as of May 13

U.S. — Shipments (not including imports, 1,724-1,871*-1,947) — The top shipping areas, in order, were Idaho; Colorado; Columbia Basin, Wash./Umatilla Basin, Ore.; Florida and Wisconsin. *revised.

UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT, IDAHO — Shipments (677-729-743, includes export of 3-3-2) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading active. Prices baled generally unchanged, cartons higher. Russet burbank U.S. 1 baled 5 10-pound film bags nonsize A $2.50-3, 50-pound cartons 40-50s mostly $8-9, 60-100s mostly $8.50-9.

SAN LUIS VALLEY, COLO. — Shipments (246-274-301, including export 16-14-**) — Movement expected to increase slightly. Trading cartons active on light offerings, others slow. Prices cartons higher, others generally unchanged. Russet U.S. 1 baled 5 10-pound film bags size A mostly $4.50, 50-pound cartons 40s mostly $5, 50-60s mostly $7, 70s mostly $7.50, 80-100s mostly $7.50-8 and U.S. commercial bulk per cwt. mostly $5-5.50. **unavailable.

COLUMBIA BASIN, WASH., AND UMATILLA BASIN, ORE. — Shipments (163-175*-178, includes export of 57-61*-52) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading cartons active, baled moderate. Prices generally unchanged. Russet norkotah U.S. 1 baled 5 10-pound film bags nonsize A $3-3.50, 50-pound cartons 40-80s $6-7, 90-100s mostly $6-6.50. *revised.

FLORIDA DISTRICT — Shipments (132-137-149, including export 3-4-8) — Movement expected to increase slightly as harvest is intensifies in North Florida. Trading round red active on light supply. Prices slightly higher. Round red U.S. 1 baled 10 5-pound film bags size A mostly $19.75, 50-pound sacks size A mostly $17.75, size B $20.75-22.75, tote bags approximately 2,000 pounds per cwt. size A mostly $34.50.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN — Shipments (110-114-105) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading moderate. Prices higher. Russet norkotah U.S. 1 baled 5 10-pound film bags nonsize A mostly $6.25-6.50, 50-pound cartons 40-80s mostly $7.50-8, 90-100s $7-7.50.

IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIF. — Shipments (82-135-92) — Movement expected to decrease sharply as harvest shifts to Kern County fields. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. One grower-shipper remains in the desert deal.

ARIZONA DISTRICT — Shipments (0-13-76) — Movement expected to remain about the same as every shipper is now running. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market.

NEBRASKA DISTRICT — Shipments (55-59*-60) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. *revised.

KLAMATH BASIN (NORTHERN CALIFORNIA-SOUTHERN OREGON) — Shipments (41-45-55, including export 6-6-9) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading slow. Prices cartons higher, others generally unchanged. Russet U.S. 1 baled 5 10-pound film bags nonsize A mostly $3-3.25, 50-pound cartons 40-70s mostly $7.50-8, 80s mostly $7-7.50, 90s mostly $6.50, 100s mostly $6-6.50.

KERN DISTRICT — Shipments (0-0-54) — Movement expected to increase as harvest intensifies and more shippers receive potatoes. Trading round red active on light supply, yellow-type moderate and long white fairly slow. Prices round red U.S. 1 carton size A mostly $18, size B mostly $18. Long white U.S. 1 carton size A mostly $24, size B mostly $12. Yellow-type U.S. 1 carton size A $22-26, size B mostly $14.

AROOSTOOK COUNTY, MAINE — Shipments (41-47-43) — Movement expected to decrease slightly. Trading slow. Prices unchanged. Russet norkotah U.S. 1 baled 10 5-pound film bags 2-inch or 4-ounce minimum mostly $7, baled 5 10-pound film bags $6.25-6.75, round white U.S. 1 baled 10 5-pound film bags 2-inch minimum mostly $7.25-7.50. Supplies light and in few hands.

MICHIGAN — Shipments (36-28-29) —Movement expected to decrease slightly. Trading slow. Prices unchanged. Russet norkotah and goldrush U.S. 1 size A 10-pound film bags loose mostly $1.35-1.40.

HEREFORD-HIGH PLAINS, TEXAS-EASTERN NEW MEXICO — Shipments (32-32*-40) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. *revised.

NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON — Shipments (29-17-16, including export 3-4-1) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market.

MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA (RED RIVER VALLEY) — Shipments (42-33-9) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market.

NEW BRUNSWICK (CROSSING THROUGH MAINE POINTS) — Shipments light — Movement expected to decrease slightly. Trading slow. Prices unchanged. Russet norkotah U.S. 1 or Canada No. 1 baled 10 5-pound sacks 2-inch or 4-ounce minimum $6.50-7, tote bags approximately 2,000 pounds per cwt. 4- to 9-ounce $9-10.