Wisconsin’s potato growers were satisfied with the quality and quantity of this year’s spud crop. But that confidence does not extend out West. In fact, the industry is projecting a potato shortage in the late spring and early summer, according to Tamas Houlihan, the executive director of the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.
“There may be a supply shortage as we get into the spring,” he says. “That’s driven by the supplies out West.”
After an excellent growing season, Wisconsin potatoes are doing well in storage. Since the state is a year-round supplier of potatoes, the spuds harvested this fall will have to last through the summer. The disease pressure was low and timely rains warded off drought. It all resulted in a good, average crop. It’s the same story for sweet corn, beans, onions and carrots.
Houlihan says general inflation and higher input costs are going to raise the price of potatoes. The strong demand for potatoes will also drive prices up when supply gets short this spring. Wisconsin has the potential to increase potato acres, he adds.
In 2023, the association is asking for solutions to high cost of shipping, increased cost of production and immigration reform to make it easier to find labor. WPVGA is also applauding increases in producer-led watershed grant dollars and nitrogen optimization programs to help farmers make it profitable to adjust on-farm practices to be more environmentally sustainable.
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