UPGC and Statistics Canada have confirmed that Canadian Potato producers have once again planted less potato acres. Statistic Canada numbers, released on July 16th, indicate planted acreage to be 359,400, down 3% from last year. UPGC surveys completed a month earlier indicated planted acreage would be .3% higher than the Statistic Canada number (statistically insignificant).

As the accompanying chart shows Canadian producers continue to plant less potato acreage, although there are regional variances. Eastern Canadian producers (Ont., Que., N.B., N.S., P.E.I.) have planted 200 acres less than last year, while Western Canada has planted 11,400 fewer acres.

As important as planted acreage numbers are, Mother Nature, being the “great equalizer that she is” will determine the ultimate crop that we have to market throughout the year. At the point of this writing it appears that Eastern Canada has had very good growing conditions, and will thus produce a 60,000,000 cwt. plus crop, this is in comparison to the past two crop years that produced slightly more than 58,000,000 cwt. Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are reporting a more difficult season, with varying degrees of excessive rainfall causing loses; Alberta would appear to have been hardest hit and are reporting a 15% loss in the southern region where all of their process crop is grown; Saskatchewan reports that their seed crop is behind schedule because of the cool wet conditions, and that some acreage did not get planted because it was too wet; In Manitoba it would appear that fresh market growers have suffered the most damage due to rainfall, although process and seed have also been effected, time will be needed to access the extent of the losses. Overall Western production will be down substantially because of reduced plantings and adverse weather conditions. B.C. is reporting that their crop has not been affected by any serious weather events, and is progressing normally.

Continue to consult with your local Potato Board for National updates as we progress through the season.