Supplies of potatoes out of Washington’s Skagit Valley look good.
“I’d say supplies of potatoes are about average. We’ve got red, yellow, white and purples and the potatoes that we want to be in storage are in storage,” says Tony Wisdom of Valley Pride Sales in Mount Vernon, Wa. “We also always leave enough out in the field to dig fresh potatoes through the holiday season.”
Wisdom says this year’s harvest conditions couldn’t have been better for potatoes. “We started harvest right on schedule so about the middle of September. And we wrapped up on schedule and it was a perfect harvest season. It was the best harvest season we’ve had in a long, long time here,” says Wisdom. “We didn’t have any rain out days. That helps with quality too because when you’re putting potatoes in storage, the weather conditions are so favourable that the product just goes in great condition. It’s really helpful.”
Nice product mix
Wisdom adds that the quality of this year’s crop is good with consistent sizing and a good blend of sizes.
At the same time, demand is starting to turn as well. “It’s picking up right now. I don’t think demand had quite switched yet though. It’s been really hot and a really nice fall everywhere—warm and dry and we haven’t kicked into winter eating habits yet,” he says.
That makes for stable pricing currently. “Pricing is probably not as strong as it was last year but it’s not weak either so it’s stable. I think there are a lot of potatoes out there this year. It’s been a pretty good summer and a pretty good harvest season with no major issues in the industry,” says Wisdom. “I would hope movement would pick up slightly as we get into pre-holiday season.”
For more information:
Tony Wisdom
Valley Pride Sales
Tel: +1 (360) 708-5474
tony@skagitvalleyfarm.com