EEUU: Idaho potato crop flourishes: Retailers to reap benefits
The early outlook for the Idaho potato crop for the 2023-24 season indicates a larger yield, leading to more affordable potatoes and increased promotional opportunities for retailers, as Tom Karst reports for The Packer.
He writes that the USDA’s June estimate showed a 12% increase in potato acres planted in Idaho compared to the previous year, totaling 330,000 acres. This growth in Idaho’s potato area has contributed to the overall expansion of potato acreage in the U.S. in 2023. While Oregon saw a 7% decrease in potato acreage, Washington experienced a 3% increase. Nationally, the area planted for potatoes is up by 5% from the previous year.
Due to the expected larger crop volumes, Idaho potato prices have been declining. Ross Johnson, VP of the Idaho Potato Commission, expressed satisfaction with the crop’s quality and abundance, attributing it to favorable weather conditions. He emphasized the enhanced promotional opportunities for retailers, especially given the challenges faced in the 2022-23 season.
Johnson also highlighted the potential for retailers to capitalize on the value potatoes offer to consumers, especially with the anticipated resumption of federal student loan payments in 2024.
Source: The Packer. Read the extensive report here
Photo: Courtesy of the Idaho Potato Commission via The Packer
Fuente: https://www.potatonewstoday.com/2023/10/19/idaho-potato-crop-flourishes-retailers-to-reap-benefits/
