A delayed season has made for less overall sweet potato volume in North Carolina, and the delay has also affected this year's sizing.“Sizing varies, but there were larger sizes last year,” said Will Kornegay, sales manager for Ham Farms. “Jumbos are a little harder to come by and smaller sizes are harder to come by.” The most common size has been size ones, which fall between six and 20 ounces, and those have been received well in the market, according to Kornegay. He pointed to the delay earlier in the season as a factor in smaller sizing.
“We received between 25 and 30 inches of rain in July,” said Kornegay. “That set planting back a few weeks.” That also affected the state's total acreage, though yields have stayed on par with previous years. The market has been favorable to product that's made it to consumers, with the average price for a number one potato ranging between $16 and $20 per 40-pound carton.
“Demand is good, it's definitely strong,” said Kornegay. “Coming through Thanksgiving and Christmas is the biggest time for sweet potatoes, and then things level off after New Year's.”
For more information:
Will Kornegay
Ham Farms
+1 252 747 8200