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UPDATE: POTATOES – NEW CROP APPEARANCE

August 12, 2022

Potato supply challenges persist at historical levels. Be aware of potato characteristics as new crop supplies begin to hit the market.

  • As new crop potato harvests start, suppliers will begin to fill storage sheds as well as send product straight to packing facilities for fresh-run orders
  • Fresh-run quality will be good, with occasional skinning; excess moisture may be observed in fresh-run potatoes
    • Potatoes may release moisture as they cool resulting in light white surface residue that can easily be brushed off
    • The white residue will dissipate as potatoes dry, and does not pose any quality problems
  • New crop potatoes have not gone through the ‘sweat’ process yet; the ‘sweat’ process allows field heat to leave potatoes, putting them in dormancy and preventing sprouting during early months of storage
  • U.S. No. 2 production will be very limited, as potatoes that would normally meet No. 1 grade are being packed to meet demand for No. 2 grade orders
    • No. 2 supplies will increase once potatoes are shipped out of storage
    • Prices will be elevated
  • Norkotahs will be shipped out of storage in mid-October
  • New crop Burbank harvesting is expected begin in late September/early October and begin to ship out of storage in late October/early November

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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