Markets expected to pick up as Red River Valley moves into potato harvesting season
Markets expected to pick up as Red River Valley moves into potato harvesting season
“A very nice crop” is the simple description the Red River Valley’s 2015 red potato crop. Ted Kreis, marketing director of Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, said the potatoes coming from the red soil of the valley are “really good quality. We had plenty of rain this summer, which is a good thing.”
Ninety percent of this crop will be harvested in October. Some potatoes were going directly into the fresh market in mid-September while most would be placed into storage. Growers prefer going into storage when the temperatures are relatively cool, Kreis noted.
Preliminary September indications were that yields were average.
With a low market in early September, “there are signs” the national red potato market would pick up going into the fall, he said.
“Last year, the size profile in Idaho hurt fresh packers all year,” Kreis said. “It’s been a really tough summer market and there is competition from the Great Lakes at this time of year,” he said Sept. 10. “There are a lot from Wisconsin and Idaho. Texas red potatoes were in the market until a month ago.” To meet increased consumer interest, red potato production is up in several parts of the country, Kreis noted. “I hope demand will catch back up with supply. There are emerging signs that will happen.”
The Northern Plains potato association is based in East Grand Forks, MN.
