The sweet potato harvest in California has started late this season. “We’re two to three weeks behind, and it’s all because of the weather,” said Larelle Miller of Quail H Farms. “It was planted late. The weather was terrible during the hot bed planting in March and April, with cold and wind delaying the planting of the 2023 crop in May and June. When it came time to harvest in July or August, it was very hot and windy, and we were a bit worried that our yields would be affected.
However, as harvest begins, yields are good, and Miller says sizes are back to the level Quail H Farms needs. “Our total yield may have increased by 10–15 percent compared to last year. Therefore, the outlook is positive for the 2023 harvest,” he explained, noting that the sweet potato sector as a whole has liquidated most in the 2022 harvest and is now sending new sweet potatoes. Quail H Farms hopes to finish harvesting by the end of the month.
Prices have also increased since last year, though Miller says it should be that way, as sweet potato growers and shippers have absorbed the cost increases over the past three to five years.
Looking ahead, Miller believes prices will generally remain stable. “The sweet potato industry generally feels the need to lower their prices to generate sales. Everyone buys sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving anyway, so I don’t think we need to do that,” said Miller. “However, there will be a slight drop because that’s what has been done, and then I think they will rise again. It will not reach the level it was five years ago, and I don’t think it will reach last year for Acción. Thank you.”
Source: worldnationnews.com
