The supply of sweet potatoes is very tight. "We are going to do our best to extend the crop this year as long as we can," says Nash Produce's Robin Narron. This follows not only a smaller crop in the fall of 2024 but a crop with smaller profile potatoes and fewer jumbo sweet potatoes.
Generally, the sweet potato crop transitions into a new crop around mid-October each year. "We have been working diligently with our customer base to ensure there is ample supply available until the new crop is ready to ship," says Narron.
As for sweet potato demand, it has been steady with a slight increase in demand though overall it's been flat. With the tighter supply, Narron says it is working with its retailers to help extend the crop while still meeting their needs. "We try to let them know as early as possible," says Narron. "That way, they know up front and we can work with them, whether it's on sizing, or trying a different product, etc.
Pricing could be stronger
All of this has left sweet potato pricing slightly stronger though Narron says it needs to strengthen more. "Farmers are struggling right now–not just in sweet potatoes but in agriculture in general," she says.
With Nash Produce not too far off from starting its transplant season, it will also be at the upcoming Southern Exposure 2025 March 6-8 in Orlando, Florida. At its booth, #300, sweet potatoes will definitely be a topic of discussion for the company and visitors to the booth.
For more information:
Nash Produce
Tel: +1 (252) 443-6011
https://nashproduce.com/