Posts Tagged “Michigan potato shipments”
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission in a new report and press release shows the economic benefits the Michigan potato industry has on the state’s economy.
The commission notes the state’s potato industry contributes more than $2.5 billion to the state’s gross domestic product and supports 21,700 jobs in the state, generating around $832 million in wages.
“In 2022 alone, this contribution, which stems from both direct and indirect economic activity, includes nearly $1.5 billion in direct economic activity resulting from growing, processing wholesaling and retailing potatoes and potato products,” Ryan Norton, chair of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission and farm manager at Walther Farms in Three Rivers MI, said. “It also factors an additional $1 billion in indirect activity from the food service industry and through the household consumption of Michigan-grown potatoes.”
The commission said the study found potatoes are the second-largest specialty crop grown in the state, adding that Michigan produces about 1.9 billion pounds of potatoes for seed, fresh, frozen, dehydrated and processing industries. More than 70% of potatoes grown in Michigan go to the chip industry.
Apples are the leading specialty crop grown in the state.
The study says 1 in 4 bags of potato chips in the U.S. contains Michigan-grown potatoes.
“The sales of these potatoes generated more than $246 million [in 2022] alone. This puts Michigan as the eighth-largest state in the nation in terms of potato production and sixth in terms of sales,” said Phil Gusmano, vice president of purchasing of Detroit-based Better Made Snack Foods and commissioner on the Michigan Potato Industry Commission.
Here’s a round up of major active potato and sweet potato shipping areas around the U.S.
Sweet Potato Shipments
Louisiana sweet potato shipments are expected to continue through June. The fresh crop is larger this year due to an increase in acreage and higher yields. Nearby Mississippi has a similar situation. Both states are loading anywhere from 375 to 500 truck loads weekly….In California, a little less volume is coming out of the Atwater/Livingston district….However, as usual, Eastern North Carolina continues to be the big player, averaging more volume than the other three states combined.
Louisiana sweet potatoes – grossing about $1800 to Chicago.
Eastern North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing about $2500 to New York City.
Potato Shipments
Idaho is to potatoes what North Carolina is to sweet potatoes. Idaho is averaging around 1,750 truck load equivalents a week, although rail plays a larger role than with most commodities and shipping areas….Colorado potato shipments rank second at about 750 truck loads a week, with all of it being by truck….Central Wisconsin potato shipments come in third with volume…. Surprisingly, Nebraska is loading about 200 truck loads weekly, although volume is divided between two shipping areas — Imperial in the southwestern part of the state, and O’Neill in the northeastern region.
Western Michigan potato shipments, as well as spuds originating out of Presque Isle, Me are providing light, but steady volume.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $5800 to Orlando.
San Luis Valley, CO potatoes – grossing about $2900 to Atlanta.
Michigan potato shipments will soon be underway, although fresh spud volume is much smaller than those for processing.
Approximately 70 percent of Michigan’s produce is for chip production. During the 1980s, the industry underwent a transition away from potatoes slated for french fry processors toward providing long-term storage for the potato chip industry.
Michigan supplies almost every potato chip manufacturer east of the Mississippi River 10 months out of the year.
Approximately 20 percent of the state’s potato crop is shipped to the fresh market.
The remainder of the crop is split between processed potato products and seeds for the following year’s crop.
When it comes to the fresh market, Michigan growers tend to tout quality over quantity. Farmers find it difficult to compete with the higher volumes of potatoes coming from states like Idaho. For example, Idaho potato shipments increased by an additional 40,000 acres in 2012. The amount of land Idaho farmers added that year nearly matched the total acreage dedicated to Michigan’s potato crop.
Statewide, Michigan potato shipments have increased 17 percent over the last eight years, up from 1.4 billion pounds in 2004 to approximately 1.6 billion pounds in 2012. Michigan potato production is spread across more than 47,000 acres. About 21 growers are active in West Michigan and more than half of them (12) are located in Montcalm County, northeast of Grand Rapids.
Michigan vegetables – grossing about $2500 to Oklahoma City.