Good growing conditions in Wisconsin look to have made a solid fall potato crop.
Larry Alsum of Alsum Farms.
“We’ve had a great growing season this past summer and we are seeing our fresh crop russets size up to have an ample supply of bakers available from this year’s potato harvest,” says Christine Lindner, marketing manager for Friesland, WI-based Alsum Farms & Produce.
Red and gold potato harvest at Alsum started near the end of July while russet potatoes began harvest August 12th. Storage started in early September. “We’re nearing 25 complete of our farms russet potato harvest. Our goal is to complete harvest by mid-October,” says Lindner. “We have four solid weeks before we get russet potato harvest all in storage for the year. Overall, the size profile is yielding a good amount of average to bigger size russet potatoes.”
Alsum Farms continues to add potato acreage as well. “We’re up by 175 acres over last year to a total of more than 2,700 acres planted this year. Barring no major rain events or early freeze we will have an excellent supply of russet potato stocks on hand,” she says.
Strong potato demand
Meanwhile demand is solid for Wisconsin potatoes, particularly with residents of Wisconsin and nearby states who are interested in buying local produce. “Growers continue to foster trusted relationships and partnerships with leading retail and foodservice markets to provide consumers with the choice to look for Wisconsin Potatoes and use their food dollars to support Wisconsin farmers,” she says.
She adds that demand is also good since more consumers are cooking at home due to the pandemic and anticipates demand to stay stronger than last year. “With COVID-19, most potatoes moving through the retail channel at grocery stores are five and 10-pound bags as most consumers prefer picking up a bag or two vs. hand picking bulk potatoes. Plus, consumers prefer that others are not touching their food within the produce aisle,” she adds.
As for pricing, Lindner notes pricing is stable heading into the fall while potato volume moving at retail is above where things were a year ago due to the pandemic. “Fall is when potatoes are most abundant to promote and at their peak freshness as Midwest farmers are harvesting potatoes from the farm fields with supply remaining strong into the winter months,” she says.
For more information:
Christine Lindner
Alsum Farms & Produce
Tel: +1 (920) 348-5127
Christine.Lindner@alsum.com
http://www.alsum.com/