Wisconsin potato outlook strong with crop timing running a little late

The Wisconsin potato outlook is relatively strong, but industry leaders say the crop is running a bit behind schedule.

“The crop is looking quite good but is roughly seven to 10 days behind schedule,” said Dana Rady, director of promotion, communication and consumer education for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.

“Nights have been warmer than desired which could impact some size,” she added, noting that acreage is slightly down compared with last year.

Acreage for the 2022 Wisconsin potato crop was estimated in June at 64,00 acres, down slightly from 66,000 in 2021 and 70,000 acres in 2020.

Wisconsin fresh potato shipments in 2021 totaled 631.9 million pounds, down from 652.3 million pounds in 2020, according to USDA numbers.

Wisconsin organic fresh potato shipments were 3.4 million pounds in 2021, down from 4.5 million pounds in 2020. 

Wisconsin chip potatoes accounted for 828.2 million pounds in 2021, up from 795.4 million pounds in 2020. The USDA said seed potato shipments in Wisconsin in 2020 were 82.9 million pounds in 2021, 85.8 million pounds in 2020.

Potato packing sheds are anticipating being at full volume by the middle of August, Rady said.

In general, Rady said seed potatoes come mainly from the Antigo area in Langlade County, while fresh and processed potatoes are grown in the Central Sands and southern areas of the state, including fields near Stevens Point, Plover, Coloma, Grand Marsh, Friesland and more.

The state has a wide range of varieties, including norkotahs, silvertons, red norland, dark red norland, yukon gold and more.

Potato market outlook

The average fob for Wisconsin fresh potatoes (average for all varieties and carton sizes) was $21.22 per carton, up from $16.04 in early June and $14.82 in mid-December.

Wisconsin potato marketers are anticipating another tight market in terms of supplies, Rady said.

“Many growers have been fulfilling their contractual obligations and haven’t had much in terms of open market,” Rady said. “The 2022 crop could see a similar situation.”

Having less volume presents challenges and opportunities for Wisconsin growers, Rady said. “Inflation also continues to be a challenge all around as does the tight labor market.”

The Wisconsin potato market is going to start strong given the fact the industry has “lost the prime on the pump,” said Mike Carter, CEO of Rosholt, Wis.-based Bushmans’ Inc., meaning there is a gap in supply from old crop to new. 

“Once we get into new crop, things will moderate a little and find its equilibrium, but I anticipate a normal to above normal market through the marketing season,” Carter said.

Carter said freight continues to be a big challenge for the industry. At the same time, Wisconsin’s location near population centers does give the state’s marketers an advantage compared to other growing regions. 

“We can get product to the consumers quicker and more cost effectively than other production areas,” Carter said. “I don’t see that changing month over the next few years.”

Carter said it is hard to find truck drivers at the same time that the cost of fuel continues to remain at historical highs.

“There doesn’t seem to be a plan to solve or even address those challenges, which means we are going to fight this battle for a long time,” Carter said. “Ultimately, these factors will force produce to be grown as close to markets as possible to reduce shipping costs, which could work to our advantage.”