Maine potato growers experienced a down production year in 2020. Way down.
Harvested acreage of Maine potatoes in 2020 totaled 50,500 acres, down 2% from 51,500 acres in 2019 but up 4% from 48,500 acres in 2018.
In a review of the 2020 crop, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that drought conditions in Maine resulted in the lowest potato yields since 1995 and the lowest production since 1918.
2020 potato yields in Maine were estimated at 255 cwt. per acre, down 22% from 325 cwt. in 2019 and down 18% from 310 cwt. in 2018.
Maine potato production in 2020 was rated at 12.87 million cwt., down 24% from 16.73 million cwt. in 2019 and down 14% from 15.03 million cwt. in 2018. The USDA said the volume of Maine potatoes used for processing totaled 4.3 million cwt. in 2020-21, down from 5.05 million cwt. in the 2019-20 and 2018-19 seasons.
As far as varieties planted, the USDA said that red potatoes accounted for 3% of Maine potato acreage in 2020, compared with 4% in 2019 and 3% in 2018. White potatoes accounted for 38% of Maine’s potato acreage in 2020, compared with 34% in 2019 and 39% in 2018. Yellow potatoes accounted for 1% of the state’s potato acreage, compared with 2% in 2019 and 1% in 2018. Finally, the USDA said russet potato varieties accounted for 58% of the 2020 Maine potato harvest compared with 60% in 2019 and 57% in 2018.
Grower prices for Maine potatoes in 2020-21 averaged $11.30 per cwt., up 2.7% compared with $11 per cwt. in 2019-20 and up 1.8% compared with $11.10 two years ago.
Sales of Maine potatoes totaled $142.13 million for the 2020 crop, according to the USDA, down 17% from $171.5 million in 2019 and down 9% from $155.8 million in 2018.
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