With supplies running short, some Wisconsin red potato shippers approached mid-January filling orders with potatoes purchased from elsewhere.
But grower-shipper Bushmans’, Inc., based in Rosholt, Wis., was still shipping from its own storage, Bushmans’ CEO Mike Carter says. Bushmans’ red potatoes “are holding well and the quality is good. We are not shipping from outside packing plants.”
Carter acknowledges that Wisconsin’s red potato crop overall “has been a challenge this year” because of flooding in southern Wisconsin, which is heavily involved in red production.
Wisconsin weather in the fall “did us no favors. It’s difficult all over,” says Carter. “We still have reds. They are part of our program.” Because of the nature of buyer expectations in today’s potato business, “you can’t run out anymore.” Shippers therefore must fill preset orders one way or the other.
Carter said Bushmans’ russet supplies look good. The firm will finish its russets early, but will be shipping into June. He acknowledged that potato growers in the Pacific Northwest “seem to have a lot of potatoes in storage.”
Carter says Bushmans’ is always looking at different marketing concepts. While continuing its tray and microwavable potato packs, the firm continues to research other unique packaging to offer.
Source: The Produce News