US: Industry leader cautions against over-planting potatoes

After a disastrous 2012-13 marketing year, fresh-market potato supply and demand appear more in balance for 2013-14, resulting in steady pricing and reasonable returns — but the processing sector still has the potential to affect that. “We have a balanced crop and the outlook says there’s no reason for us to give it away and there’s no reason for us to lose money,” said Jerry Wright, president and chief executive officer of the Salt Lake City-based United Potato Growers of America. His comments came during the Potato Business Summit, Jan. 8, where agricultural industry experts discussed market trends for potatoes as well as for potentially competing crops, such as wheat, corn and soybeans. More