2016 Red River Valley red potato crop looks red on paper too

The 2016 red potato crop damage may be the greatest suffered by the Red River Valley industry since 2001, according to Ted Kreis, marketing director of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association. The association is based in E. Grand Forks, MN. “I think we possibly lost a third, if not more of the crop,” Kreis estimated as his growers began harvesting in September. “The flooding and hail we have had here is pretty substantial.” He added that over 7,000 acres of potatoes may be lost, “which could be the worst ever.” The volume decrease “won’t be felt until spring, when we’re sold out. The prices may be higher everywhere in September but [for the Red River Valley] this will in no way make up for what we’ve lost.” More