Paul Dolan: Associated Potato is outlasting the season’s challenges
Paul Dolan: Associated Potato is outlasting the season’s challenges
There is reason for optimism as Red River Valley red potato shippers begin a new year, according to Paul Dolan.
Dolan, who manages Associated Potato Growers Inc. in Grand Forks, ND, said on Dec. 18, “The East Coast markets are opening more after receiving a lot of potatoes from Eastern Canada.”
Paul Dolan. manages Associated Potato Growers Inc. Another positive for Red River Valley potato shippers is that Florida’s competitive acreage is expected to be “down quite a bit, which should help.”
Wisconsin potato shippers, who earlier this season put a heavy volume on the fresh red market, were “slowing down some” in mid-December, he said.
“We are optimistic coming into the new year, due to Wisconsin finishing sooner than they thought.” Dolan expects produce buyers to start pulling increased volumes out of the Red River Valley in the latter part of January.
“But, on the negative side, we have a lot of potatoes to move. We will be marketing until the end of June.” In mid-December he said, “We are behind on shipping. If I knew why I would correct it. But sales are not as brisk as we’d hope. We have a full warehouse this year with average to above average shrink because of growth cracks. The potatoes are storing well. The weather has been good. But demand has been weak.”
In other news, Tim Johnstone joined the sales staff Dec. 8.
He is returning to North Dakota from Idaho, where he worked for Eagle Eye Produce. He also worked for Potandon Produce in Idaho Falls. Before that he worked in the Red River Valley for Campbell Farms.
“He knows the area,” said Paul Dolan of Johnstone. “He has experience with colored potato varieties and we are happy to have him on board.”
