Source: Fresh Plaza
Movement of Norkotah potatoes in Idaho continues at a steady pace as russet suppliers begin anticipating when the Burbank will take over as the dominant variety for the remainder of the season. It's expected that the onset of Burbank shipments will lift the market into a stronger position. According to suppliers, this is because the pack-out percentages drop on Burbank potatoes as opposed to Norkotah.
"We are running the Norkotah variety primarily in southern Idaho and once we wrap those up in late April, first part of May, we will then be moving to the Burbank variety for the remainder of the shipping season," explained Colin Gibson of 20/20 Produce Sales. "Once we start running more Burbank's as a state we will see the market climb. Burbanks are shipped later because they have the ability to store all the way up until we start the next year’s crop. However, once the switch is made from Norkotahs to Burbanks, the pack-out percentage drops from say 80 - 90 percent down to many times 60 percent. Just the pack-out percentage alone means there is less volume in the pipeline, putting a strain on supplies, and this drives the Idaho potato market up."
Gibson added that February is a time of year when the potato market goes into a bit of a lull, prompting an increase in ads. "February is a good time for promotions and it's usually when we see the Potato Commission run more ad campaigns."
More Norkotah Production This Year
Suppliers are expecting the Idaho Norkotah season to extend longer than normal this year due to increased production. Not only is there more acreage, but other areas around the state have begun producing them that otherwise have not in the past.
"We are seeing Norkotahs from other areas of Idaho that we have not seen before," Gibson observed. "Even the far eastern part of the state started planting them."
However, he warned that there are many questions yet to be answered regarding the remainder of the potatoes in storage, be it Norkotah or Burbanks. That might have an impact on the market. "Some of the quality of this year’s crop has been mixed. There was a portion of the crop that experienced cold, wet, harvest conditions which could present some problems down the road with some of those lots. The question is how many problems are there around in storage, and will those problems be large enough to put additional pressure on supplies, and how much it will affect the ID Potato Market?"
Transport Challenging in Cold Weather
One challenge suppliers are always concerned about this time of year is getting product from the cellars to the packing sheds. Cold days decrease run schedules and stifle product from getting shipped. "Potatoes are generally hauled in open trailers and therefore as shippers we prefer them not to be moved more than 20 miles at a time when the temperature drops below 20F," Gibson said. "If the potatoes are exposed to very cold temperatures for too long, the starch in the potato turns to sugar, and when fried the spuds will turn black."
"Trucking has gotten easier since the holidays are now behind us," he concluded. "Rates seem to be more in line with what we have seen historically in February."