Fewer potatoes in Colorado are being shipped compared to this time a year ago. Shipping figures for March indicate 21,069 loads had been loaded, compared to 22,754 reported for March 2012.
Additionally, Colorado will probably ship fewer spuds for the 2013-14 season because of low market prices, water restrictions and less potato acres in the San Luis Valley.
Predictions point to 10 percent fewer of potato acres this coming season. Shipments for the current crop are expected to continue until mid-August, when the harvest of the new crop of potatoes gets underway.
Looking at the Western Slope of Colorado, there may have been a 10 percent to 20 percent loss of stone fruit crops in April due to the cold. Loss could occure with apricots, Rich Lady peaches and cherries. Other peach varieties may have aired better along with apples and pears, which mature later in the season.
In Washington state variety cherry shipments should start in early June assuming the weather cooperates. Loadings will increase approching the middle of June and hit fulls stride heading into the Fourth of July.
In Oregon, blueberries shipments get underway the last week of June, with good volume coming in July.
California blueberries are now in volume and ample loading opportunties are expected in May and right on through the summer months.
Colorado potatoes – grossing about $1700 to Dallas.
Washington apples – about $5500 to Atlanta.