2022 season saw reduced acreage, higher prices for Washington and Oregon potatoes

Both Washington and Oregon potato output was down for the 2022 season, and prices have been elevated through mid-2023.

In Oregon, the USDA reported potatoes harvested totaled 43,000 acres in 2022, down 2% from 2021. Oregon potato production in 2022 totaled 24.9 million cwt, down 5% from 2021.

Meanwhile, potatoes harvested in Washington totaled 154,500 acres in 2022, unchanged from 2021. Washington potato production totaled 90.4 million cwt in 2022, down 2% from 2021, the USDA said.

Pricing up

Pricing of Washington potatoes has increased throughout the 2022-23 season.

USDA shipping point average prices for Washington potatoes rose from $21.02 per carton in July to $22.05 per carton in January and $25.19 per carton in May.

The USDA reports season-to-date truck shipments of Oregon fresh potatoes through June 25 totaled 556 (50,000 pounds) truckloads, down 8% from the same time a year ago.

Season-to-date Oregon fresh potato exports were pegged at 198 truckloads, unchanged from the same time a year ago.

Season-to-date Washington fresh potato truck shipments are up from last season, with the USDA reporting 3,714 (50,000 pounds) truckloads as of June 25, up 8% from 3,418 truckloads at the same time a year ago. Season-to-date Washington fresh potato exports as of June 25 were 956 truckloads, down from 1,083 truckloads at the same time a year ago, down 12% from the same time a year ago.

Potato stocks

In Washington, June 1 potato stocks totaled 13 million cwt, while disappearance to date totaled 77.4 million cwt. June 1 potato stocks in Oregon totaled 2.8 million cwt, according to the USDA. Disappearance to date was 22.1 million cwt.

Nationally, the USDA said potatoes held in storage by the major potato states on June 1 this year totaled 54.5 million cwt, down 3% from June 1, 2022. Potatoes in storage accounted for 14% of the 2023 production, virtually unchanged from a year earlier.

The indicated season-to-date disappearance in the U.S., at 338 million cwt, was down 4% from the same period last year. Season-to-date shrink and loss, at 21.6 million cwt, was down 1% from the same time last year. Processors in the eight states used 187 million cwt of potatoes for the season, down 4% from June 2022.

Production going up?

Overall U.S. potato output could be higher in 2023, some analysts think.

A recent Rabobank report on the 2023-24 potato outlook noted that U.S. potato production may rise in 2023 after four consecutive years of production declines.

“Competitive open market and higher contract potato prices, an improved water outlook, and crop rotation pressures are expected to increase potato planted area by 2% year-over-year and lead to a 7% drop in price in the 2023-24 marketing year,” Rabobank analysts said in a May report. “Although consumers will pay higher prices for fresh potatoes, french fries, and other frozen potato products, they are not expected to reduce their potato consumption. The potato is extra precious during a period of inflation when consumer purchasing power is eroded.”