With about two weeks to go before all existing product is shipped, supplies are tight for Prince Edward Island potatoes. “It seemed like everybody all realized at once that supply was tight and the actual potatoes that were left were in the hands of few people,” said Jennifer Harris of Mid-Isle Farms. “The price took a sharp and sudden increase, which is good for the farmers to be able to get paid for their product.”
Packers were operating comfortably with their existing supplies, but then came a slight increase in pull from the Canadian and U.S. markets, especially Quebec, toward the end of the season.
“Everybody was operating at a constant pace and I think everybody felt comfortable with supply, and then there became a little more pull, and when people stopped and looked at their own inventories and what was in storage, I think they realized that to maintain the pace they’d been shipping at they were going to need more product and at the same time they realized there wasn’t more product out there,” said Harris. “Normally, a lot of product will come out of the woodwork, but that didn’t happen this year.” She also stated that crops from New Brunswick, despite their surplus, were not suitable for the table market.
Prices are steady now and have been for the last four to five weeks. She said last year’s prices reflected an average of $1.50 Canadian dollars ($1.15) f.o.b. for a 10-pound bag, with this year around CA$2.00 for the equivalent product. “This was definitely a different year in the sense that we did have that sudden spike. I’ve only seen it one other time in the last 10 years,” said Harris.
Watch for new creamers as part of Mid Isle’s inventory next year, along with organics and different varieties, including Vale Sovereign and Yukon Russet. “We’re really going to try and put more emphasis on these two varieties next year,” said Harris. “They’re two varieties that we really believe in.”
For more information:
Jennifer Harris
Mid-Isle Farms, Inc.
+1 902-855-2009
