News on Potato Prices from Northern America

March 06, 2014

Idaho potato growers approved contract with McCain Foods

Idaho potato farmers who sell to McCain Foods have agreed to a contract that maintains roughly the same pricing as last season, said Dan Hargraves, who negotiated on their behalf as executive director of Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative.

February 13, 2014

Potato Marketing Association of North America Members Meet to Discuss Progress of 2014 Contract Negotiations

The Potato Marketing Association of North America held a special spring meeting this past week in Las Vegas, NV to discuss progress on the 2014 pre-season potato contract negotiations.

November 30, 2013

Report shows flat Idaho potato production costs

A new University of Idaho economic report shows potato procution costs have held steady.

August 21, 2013

Manitoba potato producers enjoying a decent season and prices looking good

Potato prices are expected to rise with this year’s average crop, ?bringing them back in line with the cost of production

August 14, 2013

NPPGA: US Potato Consumers Should See Relief Soon from high prices

US Consumers frustrated with historically high potato prices should look for some relief at the checkout lane soon when the late summer and fall crops start hitting store shelves.

May 21, 2013

Manitoba Potato Growers unhappy with Contracts

Manitoba potato growers signed a contract with McCain Foods last week, but their prices won’t increase from last year.?

United Potato Growers of America face lawsuit on price fixing

In a recently-filed lawsuit, Associated Wholesale Grocers claims that the United Potato Growers of America, United Potato state groups and many potato grower-shippers are illegally setting potato prices.

March 05, 2013

Idaho Potato growers approve contracts with Simplot, McCain

Idaho potato growers at a Monday meeting in Burley approved processing contracts with J.R. Simplot and McCain Foods that both include payment increases averaging 1.6 percent.

February 27, 2013

Idaho Potato Growers to vote on McCain, Simplot contracts

Idaho potato growers will vote Monday in Burley on contracts with McCain Foods and J.R. Simplot Co. paying a 1.6 percent average increase, according to sources involved in negotiations.

October 09, 2012

Washington potato outlook glum because of increase in Idaho potatoes

An expected surplus of potatoes from Idaho has made the outlook for Washington's fresh spuds dismal. Prices have been depressed even though farmers still are digging up potatoes and are past the height of the harvest season.

March 14, 2012

Russet prices rising

Long-sluggish russet markets are beginning to strengthen, and prices should continue to rise as the 2011-2012 deal enters its homestretch this summer. Strong processing demand was beginning to tip the scales in March in what has been a year of abundan...

March 08, 2012

Idaho farmers reject processors' contract offers

Idaho potato growers have rejected processors' contract offers, convinced they were insufficient to cover rising input costs and prevention of the emerging disease zebra chip.

North American potato production up 4%

Fall potato production in the United States and Canada is estimated at 481 million hundredweight, up 4 percent from 2010. United States fall potato production increased 6 percent to 389 million cwt while Canadian production was 5 percent lower at 91.9 million cwt.

April 06, 2009

Potato Prices

What is the 'right' price for potatoes for processing?
In the classic model price is determined by supply and demand. Several models exist.
But the reality is even more complex.