“We experienced a bit of a delayed planting period in both Maine and New Brunswick due to some rain,” Bob Davis, president of Maine Farmers Exchange, headquartered in Presque Isle, ME, told The Produce News. “But the summer growing season was very good. Some areas of Maine had a little dryer weather than others, but here in the [Aroostook] county we got more rain than anyone.”

He explained that weather conditions even in areas of the county differed. The southern region has a slightly light crop, the middle has a normal crop and the northern sector has a larger crop. The total combination of factors dictated final yields and quality.

“We had a really beautiful harvest season and finished a week early,” said Davis. “Both Maine and New Brunswick’s crops are already in storage [Oct. 9]. “Depending on the variety we have a fair to good size crop with very good quality.”

He said word is that the nationwide potato crop is quite good. Colorado is reporting a good crop. Idaho’s crop has a small size profile, which could suppress the market on five- and 10-pound bags because smaller sizes are bagged.

“Our russets are good size, even a higher percent count-size than we’ve had in the past two or three years,” said Davis. “But it’s just too far out to tell what the markets will do moving forward. Both Idaho and Colorado dictate the markets, and we follow their lead.

“When everyone’s potatoes are in storage — minus those that are shipping fresh — we may see a little more strength in the market, which is normal,” he continued. “Good quality helps a region’s market. Proximity to customers is also a factor. MFX has both benefits this year. People come back for more when product is good.”

Transportation continues to be a problem for the entire industry, including the potato category. Davis said those who are innovative will have a leg up on sales. The price of fuel, he said, had dropped, which is helping truckers a bit.

Some varieties of MFX’s seed could run on the short side due to the dry growing season.

“I always urge home, garden and commercial growers to book their seed early and to get it from the right people,” said Davis. “That’s the only way to be sure of what you’re getting at the end of the year.”

Davis announced the addition of two new staff members to MFX. Dan Peers now oversees seed sales and transportation. He joined the company last December.

“Dan and his dad had a packingshed, so he grew up in the business,” said Davis. “He moved on from there to a different industry, but he has returned to the potato business with us.”

Tyler Bradley is MFX’s new field team addition. He joined the company in November  2013.

“Tyler grew up in this area on his family’s farm,” said Davis. “He then acquired an accounting degree and worked in that field for a while. He’s back in farming with us now. It seems that once it’s in someone’s blood it’s hard to stay away from the farming fold.”

He also stressed that the addition of Bradley now gives the company two full-time field men, and said that MFX is the only company in Maine to have them.

“You get to cover a lot more and see what’s going on when two men are checking the fields,” said Davis. “It gives you a much better advantage in both the fields and the packingsheds. These are valuable positions in our company.”