Houston-based MountainKing expects strong quality for its fall harvest of fresh potatoes in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
“The 2021 crop outlook is very bright,” Andreas Trettin, director of marketing for MountainKing Potatoes, said in a news release.
“The ability of our farms to evaluate prior season successes and setbacks have provided us with a great road map. Modifications were made to fertilization and irrigation plans as well as land changes amongst our varieties. These adjustments continue to breed improvement year after year.”
MountainKing’s early harvest test digs indicate impressive potato sizes with minimal bruising, Trettin said in the release.
MountainKing will see “dramatically increased” acreage for its yellow-flesh varieties as shoppers continue to shift from traditional white-flesh reds and russets to more flavorful yellow-flesh types, according to the release.
MountainKing acreage expanded by 94 percent for its Butter Russets, 30 percent for its Creamer Reds and 14 percent for its Butter Golds, according to the company. In total, MountainKing allocated more than 1,200 acres for its yellow-flesh varieties. The company also dedicated more than 400 acres for its small potatoes.
“We spend a lot of time in the offseason examining IRI data and customer feedback on the different varieties,” Trettin said in the release. “Our increased acreage directly reflects customer purchasing habits and national potato sales trends.”
MountainKing’s creamers and fingerlings will be available by the end of September. Its Butter Reds and Butter Russets are expected to be available by the end of October in time for the holiday season, according to the company.