Jul 7, 2022Decrease in stocks and acres this season
The USDA report released June 17 showed potato states help 54 million cwt in storage, a 4% decrease in potato stocks from the same date a year prior. Potato disappearance was down 2% over the same time period in 2021, and the shrink and loss for this season to date is up 5% at 23.2 million cwt.
Fewer potato acres were planted across the U.S. this season, with just a few states increasing their acreage. USDA reports 910,000 acres were planted for the 2022 season, down over 30,000 acres from the year prior.
Water constraints and unpredictable weather continue to be problematic in many potato-growing states. However, Washington added 5,000 acres this season, returning to its characteristic mild weather after record-setting heat in 2021. Maine increased its acreage by 6,000 acres to 60,000 total, and Nebraska by 1,000 for a total of 20,000 acres.
Overall, acreage is down over 50,000 acres since 2019’s pre-pandemic levels.
