The Idaho acreage is estimated to be down 25,000 acres below 2021, lower than even 2020 levels in the first year of the pandemic. A large amount of the cuts are coming from seed acreage as well as very high input costs and water issues turning growers to alternative crops with better, more stable, pricing at the time of planting. Also, some of the acreage reduction in Idaho is due to the fact that the fryers were hesitant to provide a good contract and sign up enough acres, figuring extra acres would get planted anyway but they did not take into consideration the increases in cost of production causing most growers to actually tighten up acreage.
The Washington acreage is estimated to be up 5,000 acres or 3.1% over the 2021 crop, not surprising since it is a state with most of its crop destined for processing where demand continue to be strong, both domestically and for export markets. Cold weather at the start of the season delayed growth however recent mild weather is giving the plants a chance to catch up.
North Dakota acreage is down this year at 3,000 acres, or 3.9% below 2021. Although there is a reduction, total acreage remains above 2020 and on par with 2019 levels, and still places North Dakota third overall in total acreage behind Idaho and Washington.
Wisconsin USDA reports a 4,000 acre decrease in the state. There is a decrease in reported acreage for Russets although they still make up 44% of Wisconsin’s crop. Both reds and yellows also decreased, but whites were up slightly, 1.6%, and make up a large proportion of the balance of acreage at approximately 41% of the total.
Maine experienced the greatest increase in both real acres, 6,000 acres over 2021, and in percentage growth at 11.1%. It is thought that most of this growth is in processing acres in response to shortages from last year and continued strong demand.
Colorado acreage remained flat over last year, but is still above 2019 levels.