By Andi Anderson
Michigan's potato stocks demonstrate robustness in the face of industry dynamics, with estimates for February 1, 2024, registering at 8.90 million hundredweight (cwt). This represents a notable 9% increase from the previous year's 8.20 million cwt, contributing significantly to the national surge in potato storage.
Nationally, the total potato stocks in storage as of February 1, 2024, reached 216 million cwt, marking a substantial 12% rise from the same period in 2023. These stored potatoes account for 49% of the 2023 production, reflecting a 1% increase from the previous year. The season-to-date disappearance, totaling 225 million cwt, showcases a 7% increase compared to the same period last year. However, season-to-date shrink and loss, at 17.3 million cwt, indicate a 16% rise from the corresponding period in the previous year.
Processors in the eight states utilized 115 million cwt of potatoes for the season, marking a 3% increase from February 2023. These figures collectively paint a picture of resilience and growth in the potato industry, both at the state and national levels.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-npantos
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables