Colorado spud shipments are running more than 10 percent below the previous season so far this year.
Truck load for fresh potatoes amounted to 2,715 last December 2012, compared to 3,022 in December 2011. A severe drought continues to plaque the San Luis Valley. The snowpack in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado’s southwest quadrant had reported only 31 percent of normal in late 2012, although moisture since this as brought the table up to about 65 percent of normal. Drought continues to be a major consern.
Something a bit surprising is the amount of potatoes shipped from the San Luis Valley by rail that increased to 178 loads, compared to 149 the previous year. This is still a very minor portion of shipments.
The drought is the worst in a decade when the record dry spell occurred in 2012.
The main aquifer for the San Luis Valley aquifer has dropped by 120,000 acre feet.
There is some optimism about some ease in the drought since largest snows occur in March, April and May.
The San Luis Valley is averaging about 800 truckloads of potatoes a week.
Colorado potatoes – grossing about $1700 to Dallas.