LAKE WALES, Fla. — This year’s Florida potato deal is earlier due to higher winter temperatures maturing plants quickly.
Mack Farms Inc. began harvesting in late January, ahead of its Feb. 10 start last season. General manager Ken Wiles said the favorable growing season accelerated crop production by two weeks and prompted other growers to begin harvesting in late January and early February.
Those that usually start in late February began the first part of the month this season, he said.
“We have talked with some of our customer groups and they’re ready to start when we’re ready to start in volume,” Wiles said in mid-February. “Usually, our heaviest volume hits in late February and early March, but this year, our big volume should come in mid-February. Everyone’s a week to 10 days ahead of schedule.”
Yields are higher than last season, which usually equates to high quality, he said.
In the Immokalee area of southern Florida, Fort Myers-based Troyer Bros. Florida Inc. began harvesting reds, yellows and whites on Feb. 2.
Co-owner Don Troyer characterizes yields as fair but said quality on all varieties is strong.
“We are not in full volume, but are running a lot of potatoes,” he said in mid-February. “The yields are picking up. We will build into bigger volume as we go another week or two.”
Demand started well but seems to have softened in mid-February, Troyer said. Troyer Bros. plans to harvest into mid-May.
On Feb. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported light volume is expected to continue through Feb. 16 when additional shippers are expected to bring more supplies, which should increase volume sharply.
The USDA reported these prices for Florida potatoes:
- $14 for 50-pound cartons of U.S. 1 round reds size A
- $18-18.75 for 50-pound cartons of U.S. 1 size A yellows
- $29-30.25 for 50-pound cartons of round white U.S. 1 size A
Last year in late February, the USDA reported $16.25 for 50-pound cartons of U.S. 1 round reds size A; $20 for 50-pound cartons of U.S. 1 size A yellows; and $29 for 50-pound cartons of round white U.S. 1 size A.
Source: The Packer