Two-thirds of the nation’s potatoes have yet to be shipped for the 2016-17 season. Meanwhile, Argentina lemons will be permitted to enter the U.S., with first arrivals next spring.
About 34 percent of the U.S. potato crop has been shipped thus far this season as of December 1st. The 13 major potato shipping states had 269 million cwt. of potatoes in storage at the beginning of the month, up 2 percent from a year ago.
The nation’s largest potato shipper, Idaho, had 72 percent of its fall crop — 100 million cwt. — remaining in storage on December 1st. Washington state, which is a distant second to Idaho in volume, had 57 million cwt. of potatoes in storage December 1st, which was 54 percent of its crop.
Idaho potato shipments – grossing about $5100 to New York City.
San Luis Valley, Colorado potatoes – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Argentina Lemon Imports
The USDA has ruled fresh lemons from Argentina will be permitted to be imported into the U.S., which has greatly upset California citrus leaders. The rule is the result of 10 years of study on pest risks. The agriculture department projects Argentina may export between 15,000 and 20,000 metric tons of fresh lemons to the U.S. annually, or about 4 percent of the average total U.S. lemon volume (based on shipments from 2008 to 2014) of 535,244 metric tons.