Shipments of Idaho russet potatoes during the first half of January were off significant because of the extreme cold.
Temperatures below zero in Idaho made it very difficult, sometimes impossible, to haul russets from cellars to plants without the spuds freezing. Although Idaho potato loadings were good through the holidays was good, then the cold hit and movement was stifiled by temperatures ranging from 10-below zero to 5-above zero.
As in California, temperatures in Idaho began rising around January 15 and now are returning to normal.
While Idaho russet loadings were off during the cold, red potato shipments were brisk out of the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Red River Valley packing sheds are reported to be working at capacity to get potatoes shipped. This is despite having a much bigger crop in 2012-13. Potatoes remaining in valley storages as of mid-January are similar to what they were at this time a year ago. The Red River Valley should complete mlost of its shipments around the middle of May, which is normal.
In Colorado’s San Luis Valley, russet shipments are averaging a moderate 375 truck loads per week…..In central Wisconsin about 500 truckloads of russet potatoes are being shipped weekly.
San Luis Valley potatoes – are grossing about $1900 to Chicago.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $5100 to New York City.