Potato harvest is in the final stages across the country. Most provinces have enjoyed excellent harvest conditions without the high temperatures experienced in early September nor the wet conditions of early spring. Yields have been variable across the country, and even between regions within provinces. We can offer the following update as the last spuds roll into storage for this season:
Prince Edward Island
PEI growers have more than 90% of their crop harvested with many finishing up this week and many more will wrap up over the next few days. Despite Fiona causing delays starting storage harvest, excellent weather since the storm has enabled growers to make up time and harvest looks like (weather permitting next week) it will be completed on time (some even earlier than normal). Although most growers saw a better than average crop last year, when all is said and done with this year’s harvest PEI expects a yield close to last year, quality is excellent.
The conditions for harvest have been very good overall, although moisture level differences between the western and eastern parts of the island have caused some variability in the crops. With planted acreage for PEI down just over 5,000 acres we estimate production to be lower than last year by 5-10%, however about 5% above the 5 year average.
New Brunswick
Harvest in New Brunswick is winding down and yields have been reported as down from last year, but overall a decent crop. Harvest conditions have generally been good and without very cold temperatures. Since there is not the bumper crop of last year, and there has been some low gravity issues reported forecasting processors to increase the quantity required, it is unlikely we will see movement of potatoes west as we did last year. Similar to PEI, production is estimated to be lower than last year but still close to an 8% increase in production over the 5 year average.
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Source: unitedpotatocanada.com
