Canada: Potato harvest expected to be up in Alberta and Manitoba

Potato yields should be slightly above average in Manitoba and Alberta this year, but figures aren’t available because the harvest is only 10 to 15 percent complete. Terence Hochstein, executive director of Potato Growers of Alberta, said growing conditions were excellent this year and there were almost no issues with disease. Dan Sawatzky, general manager of the Keystone Potato Producers Association, said yields should also be decent in Manitoba. Average yields have been 305 to 310 cwt. per acre the last couple of years, and Sawatzky expects comparable production this fall. Manitoba should produce more potatoes than last year because Simplot and McCain Foods, which operate french fry processing plants in the province, increased contract volumes by 18 percent. More