Latest News From Potatoes Marketing

February kicks off key promotion for Idaho potatoes
February kicks off key promotion for Idaho potatoes

February is a good time for retailers to show their love for potatoes. 

Fresh Trends data shows potatoes are the most popular vegetable
Fresh Trends data shows potatoes are the most popular vegetable

Potatoes ranked only behind bananas among fresh produce items most frequently purchased, according to The Packer's 2022 Fresh Trends survey.

EarthFresh finds strong demand for potatoes in paper packaging 
EarthFresh finds strong demand for potatoes in paper packaging 

Atlanta, Ga.-based EarthFresh LLC is seeing good quality potatoes coming out of storage, said Libby Massey, marketing manager.

Mexico market potential is great, industry leaders say
Mexico market potential is great, industry leaders say

Export opportunities for U.S. fresh potatoes into Mexico are set to expand significantly within the next few months, U.S. potato industry leaders believe.

Potato Expo set for big networking and education opportunities
Potato Expo set for big networking and education opportunities

A big potato industry reunion is right around the corner.

Potato markets running strong 
Potato markets running strong 

Fresh potato prices in late November were well above late 2020 levels while shipments of potatoes were lagging below year ago-levels, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics.

USDA taking comments on termination of Washington state potato marketing order
USDA taking comments on termination of Washington state potato marketing order

Through early November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture was taking comments on a proposed rule that would terminate the marketing order for Washington state potatoes.

U.S. potato imports continue to increase
U.S. potato imports continue to increase

Strong demand for potatoes and potato products and tight domestic supplies continues to drive increases in imports for the current (July – June) marketing year.

Organic potato, onion sales continue upward trend
Organic potato, onion sales continue upward trend

Organic onion and potato sales continue to trend upward, even during the COVID-19 pandemic — and, perhaps because of the pandemic, marketers say.

RPE adds How2Recycle labels on Tasteful Selections products
RPE adds How2Recycle labels on Tasteful Selections products

Potato and onion grower-shipper RPE, Bancroft, Wis., is adopting How2Recycle package labeling for Tasteful Selections products.

Tasteful Selections: A partner in the kitchen
Tasteful Selections: A partner in the kitchen

Tasteful Selections continues its 10-year anniversary celebration campaign as a partner in the kitchen.

Side Delights Steamables leads microwave potato category
Side Delights Steamables leads microwave potato category

A 2019 study conducted by IRI, a Chicago-based market intelligence and analytics company, found that Side Delights Steamables is leading the microwave/steamable potato segment.

Tasteful Selections celebrates tenth anniversary
Tasteful Selections celebrates tenth anniversary

As part of its ongoing 10-year anniversary, Tasteful Selections is focusing on the diverse flavors and recipes of its potato products.

Wada Farms Marketing focuses on organic potatoes
Wada Farms Marketing focuses on organic potatoes

Ben Josephson has returned to Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC as sales director after having stepped away temporarily, said Eric Beck, marketing director with the Idaho Falls, Idaho-based potato grower-shipper.

Sev-Rend installs new press
Sev-Rend installs new press

Collinsville, Ill.-based packaging manufacturer Sev-Rend Inc. has expanded in the past year, said Jeff Watkin, director of marketing.

MountainKing Potatoes has display options
MountainKing Potatoes has display options

MountainKing Potatoes is providing its retail partners with “turnkey, display-ready options” aimed at driving sales of its baby golds, baby reds and fingerlings.

Idaho commission beefs up potato merchandising
Idaho commission beefs up potato merchandising

The Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission has intensified its promotional and merchandising efforts, said Ross Johnson, international marketing director.

Green Thumb Farms opens potato packaging line
Green Thumb Farms opens potato packaging line

Green Thumb Farms in Fryeburg, Maine, will open a new packaging line in April, said Mike Hart, director of sales and marketing.

Specialty, organic potatoes help expand sales
Specialty, organic potatoes help expand sales

There’s more to the potato business than reds, whites and russets, marketers say. Specialty varieties and organics are important parts of the product mix, they note.

Convenience, sustainability driving potato pack design
Convenience, sustainability driving potato pack design

The challenge to creating a compelling package for potatoes is complex, because bags must protect product integrity while attracting a shopper’s attention.

Rough fall weather leads to strong winter market for potatoes
Rough fall weather leads to strong winter market for potatoes

Rough weather during the U.S. potato harvest last fall continues to shake up the markets well into 2020, marketers say.

Alsum Farms & Produce supports FFA
Alsum Farms & Produce supports FFA

Friesland, Wis-based Alsum Farms & Produce hosted 150 runners, walkers and FFA supporters at the third annual Tater Trot 5K Run/Walk, Sept. 4 at Alsum Farms.

Varietals, organics continue to spice up potato business
Varietals, organics continue to spice up potato business

A potato isn’t just a potato, particularly now, with new varieties and organics coming on, marketers say.

Processed potato needs influence fresh market
Processed potato needs influence fresh market

The chip, frozen and other potato-processing businesses continue to touch the fresh industry, but that touch might be a bit stronger this year, marketers say.

Weather issues affect potato crops
Weather issues affect potato crops

Weather issues during the 2019 growing and harvest season had potato prices soaring during the pre-holiday period, with little change expected after the first of the year, marketers said.

Spuds are value buy, even when prices rise
Spuds are value buy, even when prices rise

Potato prices may be higher this year than last because of tigher supplies, but the product remains a good value, and its versatility certainly hasn’t changed, marketers say.

Idaho Potato Commission partners with Chobani
Idaho Potato Commission partners with Chobani

The Eagle, Idaho-based Idaho Potato Commission is working with Greek yogurt brand Chobani to create a holiday recipe campaign promoting Idaho mashed potatoes made with Chobani Greek Yogurt.

Sev-Rend sees increase for film packaging
Sev-Rend sees increase for film packaging

Sev-Rend Corp. said it is seeing an increase in potato packaging that uses films.

Organic potato and onion sales holding steady
Organic potato and onion sales holding steady

Movement of organic potatoes and onions has been sluggish at times, but most organic growers say consumer demand generally remains strong as they continue to serve the market.

Trade groups plan bevy of promotions
Trade groups plan bevy of promotions

Potato and onion trade groups have planned a plethora of promotions to encourage consumption of their product. Here’s a look at some of the activities now underway.

Onion deal yields ample supplies, good quality, marketers say
Onion deal yields ample supplies, good quality, marketers say

Retailers and consumers can look for plenty of good-quality onions over the coming months, grower-shippers say.

Potato volume dips, but adequate supplies remain
Potato volume dips, but adequate supplies remain

Potato supplies should be ample for the holidays and beyond, despite bad weather in some growing regions and an overall dip in production.

<p>The Idaho Potato Commission has a new 4-ton fiberglass potato&nbsp;ready to go on the Big Idaho Potato Truck.</p>
Commission unveils Big Idaho Potato 2.0

The Idaho Potato Commission has unveiled the Big Idaho Potato 2.0, a 4-ton fiberglass potato replacing the original giant spud that traveled 155,000 miles and visited more than 7,200 cities over seven years.

Several potato marketers report strong demand for red and yellow potatoes so far this year.
Potatoes Marketing business updates

Catch up on potato grower-shippers and marketers featured in The Packer's Potatoes Marketing profile.

Potatoes are on display at a Loblaws. Canada was the top-ranked export market for U.S. fresh potatoes in 2017.
Fresh potato exports show double-digit growth

Led by double-digit growth in Canada and Mexico, U.S. fresh potato exports soared 17% in value last year.

<p>Community Market #590 in&nbsp;Greenfield, Ohio, won 1st place in the 1-5 cash register category&nbsp;in the 2017 Idaho Potato Commission retail display contest.</p>
Potato Lover’s Month promo nearly over

The Idaho Potato Commission’s Potato Lover’s Month promotion is so big that it lasts for two months.

Russet potatoes' share of the potato category grew for the first time in a long time during the second half of 2017.
Retail shows surprising russet potato gains

Reversing recent market share erosion, potato category leader fresh russet potatoes showed modest volume gains in July through December.

<p>Truck-Kenworth-W900-semi with refrigerated trailer</p>
Truck scarcity tangles potato deals

Truck rates and availability have been an issue for potato marketers in the 2017-18 season, and the drama is far from over.

Value-added offerings boost potato sales
Value-added offerings boost potato sales

Convenience continues to drive the value-added category in potato sales, marketers say.

Potatoes Marketing business updates
Potatoes Marketing business updates

Check out business updates from companies featured in The Packer's Potatoes Marketing profile.

Potatoes Marketing business updates
Potatoes Marketing business updates

Check out business updates from companies featured in The Packer's Potatoes Marketing profile.

Don Theisen (left), Rhinelander, Wis., Trig's store director, receives the keys for a Fat Bob Harley Davidson motorcycle from Chris Brooks, promotions committee chairman for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, as winner of the association's Wisconsin Potatoes Display Contest.
Potatoes Marketing business updates

Business updates on the companies featured in The Packer's potatoes marketing section.