Total Canadian potato storage holdings on February 1, 2024 totalled 74,031 million cwt which is up 8.2% over February 2023 and well above the five-year average. This report comes from Victoria Stamper, executive director, United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC).

Again this month, Québec, PEI and New Brunswick are all showing lower stocks compared to the same month last year. The lower stocks in these provinces seem to be mostly due to good disappearance in January, however it is important to note there are reports of higher cull rates in the eastern provinces due to the wet growing season and harvest causing some issues in storage.

The higher stock levels still seem to be in the western provinces and mainly in the processing sector. Although Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia did show higher stocks in the fresh sector, in overall numbers, fresh inventories are down by five per cent for the country and if the current rate of disappearance continues, we estimate very little carryover in this sector. However, it is still early in the season.

UPGC is still keeping an eye on the high levels of processing potatoes, with some growers concerned a part of the pile may end up in the fresh sector. However, to date there continues to be movement from west to east to use up the surplus and balance out shortages in some of the eastern provinces.

The seed sector

The seed sector also saw a decrease in overall stocks of 226,000 (2.3%), with extra seed in Alberta, PEI and Ontario offset by reduced inventories in Québec, Manitoba, New Brunswick and British Columbia.

With just over 9.8 million cwt of seed potatoes in inventory in Canada on February 1, data are showing a decline (2.2%) when compared to February of 2023. However, UPGC notes that 2023 was the highest February inventory on record and the current stock level is still above the five-year average. Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia all reported good crops in 2023. However, crops in New Brunswick and Québec were not quite as good as originally anticipated.

Disappearance in the seed sector has been slower than usual in December and January but according to producers, they are expecting the pace to pick up in February. Until contracts are signed in the Pacific Northwest, growers will be hesitant to commit to 2024 seed purchases. Last year’s prolific harvest in that region left processors with a surplus of product. The pressure to book seed early is not as great this year.

Source:  United Potato Growers of Canada February 13, 2024 newsletter