The 2012 potato harvest in Idaho was remarkable in several respects. Acreage was up about 25,000 acres over the previous year. Yields were above average. The size structure ran heavy to large sizes, creating an imbalance between availability of various sized potatoes and the market demand for those sizes. Specifically, foodservice, which normally takes the larger sizes, was not positioned to absorb all of the large-sized potatoes available.

Pistachio orchards tend to be somewhat alternate bearing, and after last year’s record crop of 555 million pounds for U.S. pistachios (primarily grown in California, but also in Arizona and New Mexico), 2013 is “what we would consider an off year,” said Richard Matoian, executive director of American Pistachio Growers in Fresno, CA.

For the second quarter this year, fresh produce sales are up compared to last year’s figures. Organic fruits and vegetables lead the pack in growth with strong gains in sales and volume according to FreshFacts on Retail, a quarterly report from the United Fresh Produce Association that tracks retail produce sales and performance.

The Idaho Potato Commission has various programs designed to help retailers boost potato sales. Of those, Seth Pemsler, vice president of retail at IPC, identified three as “the key elements of our program.” They are advertising support, Potato Lovers Month retail display contests, and “what we call bin promotions,” he said.

It has been just about a year since Sun-Glo of Idaho Inc. in Sugar City, ID, joined the Fresh Solutions Network. As described previously in The Produce News, the network is “a partnership of multi-generational potato and onion companies committed to driving profitable category growth through innovative marketing, category management and operational solutions.”

Although Idaho russet potatoes continue to be the major focus of Wada Farms Marketing Group in Idaho Falls, ID, which is the exclusive marketing agent for potatoes from Wada Farms Potatoes Inc. in Pingree, ID, as well as for various other potato packingsheds around the state, the company has been placing an increasing emphasis in recent years on colored potato varieties, notably red and gold varieties.