The leading US potato-producing State of Idaho has a year-round potato season and the biggest harvesting season of September to October is yet to come. In 2022, Idaho led national production at 121 million cwt. CWT or hundredweight represents a unit measure of 45.4 kg in US measurement terms. 

The Pacific Northwest state showed dynamic staying power in the first season of 2023 whose recorded potato shipments matched those of the same period in 2022. The first season in 2022 produced 31,181,000 cwt of potatoes while the equivalent timeline in 2023 produced an estimated 29,631,000 cwt. Though the totals for 2023 are not yet finalized, experts predict higher production levels this year than 2022’s. 

Acreage under potato seed also expanded by 12% in early 2023, meaning Idaho farmers already have 33,858 acres on top of the total 295,000 acres of 2022. 

It is also likely that Idaho potatoes will cross the 13 billion-pound (ib) mark in output this year. Insiders already predict that by end 2023, the production level will be in the region of 14.7 billion ibs. The production in 2022 fell shy by 1 billion pounds to settle at 12 billion pounds due to low acreage and poor weather that year.

Shipping point prices August 14, Idaho Falls

Shipping point prices of  potatoes in mid-August 2023 are generally the same in the US, at $1.23 per kilogram or $14 per bulk 25-pound bag. In Idaho falls, the famous product which Idaho Potato Commission has trademarked ‘Grown in Idaho’ is having steady prices averaging $0.92-1.14 per kilo. 

On the morning of August 14, 2023,  minimum 50-pound potato sacks attracted fairly light demand. Each was going for between $19 and $28, with an average of $21. This translates to an average wholesale price of $0.92 per kilo at the shipping point. 

The types of potatoes represented above are exclusively the Russet variety, principally Norkotah, which is the main type that Idaho farmers grow. The State boasts more than 30 cultivars, but Russet Burbank and Norkotah cultivars register the highest output. The Burbank type is especially a good buffer for low season supplies for it is late-maturing. 

Thus, as Idaho awaits its bumper harvest this fall, will it maintain or surpass its status as the producer of 1/3 of all US potatoes as it has done year-in-year-out? The next harvest in September will tell.