VARIABLE CONDITIONS IMPACT ON SIZES AND YIELD WHILE LOWER PRICES SEEN
MIXED quality potato crops are expected in Prince Edward Island (PEI) this year.
Dwayne Coffin of Vanco Produce Ltd said in a recent interview with Fresh Plaza that some areas will see ‘terrific’ tuber sizes and yield, while other areas that have not had much rain this year are expecting less-than-average yields.
While crops went in earlier this year, the latter part of August saw hot weather conditions that stayed on the dryer side while in early September, the province received half an inch to an inch of rain.
“It did help but unfortunately a lot of the fields had started to die down already by the time the rain came. Regardless, it still helps with harvesting in terms of bruising and that sort of thing. It has been ideal weather for harvesting,” he said, adding that the province’s red and yellow potatoes should have received enough moisture to produce an average crop with some good sizing.
“Both of our packing sheds are running, one a little more sporadic than the other. It is a different start to a season and I think a big part of that is that the pipeline is still full of old-crop potatoes. Those are especially from the US, the Western Russets,” he said.
This has led to lower prices than are usually seen at this time of year, while demand has been average.
“If prices are lower than what you would like them to be, a lot of growers will focus on finishing the harvest and then see where market prices are,” Dwayne said. “Unfortunately a lot of regions have potatoes available right now and I think in the short term, pricing will probably be unstable into the new year. Hopefully, in 2025, prices will stabilise or even rebound a bit by then.”
Source: Fresh Plaza Photo: Prince Edward Island Potatoes
