Potato production in North America stable

The potato production in North America is stabilizing at last year's level. This can be concluded from the latest estimates in the United States and Canada. The total production in the US and Canada is estimated at 24.8 million tons. Last year, this figure was 24.9 million tons according to adjusted figures. The difference is just 0.3%. The production is higher than the five-year average. In that respect, there is indeed a trend, as potato production has significantly increased in the past three years compared to previous years. Significant growth in Canada In particular, Canada has made a significant leap in potato production in recent years. The acreage has expanded, and simultaneously, higher yields have also been achieved. In recent years, more than 2.5 tons per hectare have been harvested compared to the period from 2016 to 2020. This difference alone accounts for an increase of 7.5%. Additionally, the acreage in the same comparison has increased by an average of 12%. All together, production in Canada has been 1 million tons greater in the past three years than the average during the period from 2016 to 2020. The harvest expectation for this year is about 5.75 million tons, which is roughly at the average level of the last three years. Smaller differences in the US In the United States, the differences in this respect are much smaller. Over the past three years, an average of 19.1 million tons has been harvested. This is 1.4% more than in the years from 2016 to 2020. The harvest expectation for this year fits perfectly into this picture, as a harvest of 19.1 million tons is also expected this year. Prices have shown a declining trend in the last three years of -5% per year. The USDA calculates an average price for all potatoes in 2024 of $25.8 per 100 kilos, which converts to about €23.50 per 100 kilos. In the main potato state of Idaho, the lowest prices are paid. Last year, an average of €18 per 100 kilos was paid there, according to figures from the US Department of Agriculture.