Search - The Packer

(UPDATED, Oct. 24) Weather in Idaho and the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota will affect how many table stock potatoes those regions have this season.

The Idaho potato season is well underway, with plenty of supplies for holiday dinners, marketers say.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Delta, British Columbia-based Village Farms promoted its mini San Marzano tomato, branded Heavenly Villagio Marzano at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit expo.

Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines are the top five export market for Idaho potatoes, according to the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission.

Restaurants, institutions and other foodservice outlets continue to provide strong support for the Idaho potato industry, suppliers say.

With frost damage in Idaho and flooding hampering potato harvest in North Dakota and the Red River Valley, the potato market could take buyers on a wild ride.

Rockingham, Va.-based Shenandoah Growers Inc. has begun harvest at new BioFarm facilities in Rockingham and Elkwood, Va.

A warm winter and rainy spring with a few hail storms and tornadoes have put a damper on some of Georgia’s crops, which peak in marketable volume mid-May to mid-June.

If consumers are putting renewed emphasis on nutritious eating during this trying time, greenhouse grower-shippers are willing and able to help.

Onion grower-shippers say choice is a major part of their program, including a range of sizes and varieties and, to some extent, organics.