Kevin MacIsaac, General Manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC), reported earlier today that the current Canadian potato storage holdings figures were released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on June 1.
According to Kevin, “good demand for table potatoes has lowered fresh supplies 15% below the 3-yr. average. Processing stocks are up 14.4%. Seed growers are also in a difficult spot with seed left.“
Ag Canada says in its report: “Total Canadian Potato Storage Holdings on June 1, 2020 are 12.5% above the 3-yr. average at 20,732,000 hundred weight. Table potatoes will likely clean up in a timely manner, some chip potatoes may need to be imported, and both processing and seed categories will have supply left over this year due to COVID-19 restrictions affecting the marketplace and in particular the all-important food service sector.”
Figures below courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and provided to PNT by Kevin MacIsaac of the Potato Growers of Canada. The report is also available on the UPGC website here.
Kevin can be reached at kevin@unitedpotatocanada.com for further information.
| Province | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 3-yr. Average | 2019-20 | 2020 vs. 3-yr. avg |
| Prince Edward I | 5,409 | 5,668 | 4,519 | 5,199 | 6,038 | +16.1% |
| New Brunswick | 3,556 | 3,333 | 2,285 | 3,058 | 2,791 | -8.7% |
| Quebec | 1,830 | 1,333 | 1,270 | 1,478 | 1,716 | +16.1% |
| Ontario | 458 | 868 | 662 | 663 | 642 | -3.2% |
| Eastern Canada | 11,253 | 11,202 | 8,736 | 10,397 | 11,187 | +7.6% |
| Manitoba | 4,462 | 4,273 | 3,051 | 3,929 | 3,919 | -0.3% |
| Alberta | 2,998 | 4,622 | 4,543 | 4,054 | 5,626 | +38.8% |
| British Columbia | 31 | 11 | 81 | 41 | 0 | -100.0% |
| Western Canada | 7,491 | 8,906 | 7,675 | 8,024 | 9,545 | +19.0% |
| Total Canada | 18,744 | 20,108 | 16,411 | 18,421 | 20,732 | +12.5% |
Photo above: Courtesy of the United Potato Growers of Canada
