Established in 1971, the Sales & Marketing division of the company back then was known as Wysocki Sales.
Later the name was changed to Russet Potato Exchange; subsequently, the name was altered once again, this time shortened to RPE to better reflect our diverse program and product offerings.
Strategic Growth
Agronomic varietal programs and continual product development contributed to our expanding depth and breadth, allowing RPE to consistently deliver innovation and solutions to foodservice, retail and other customers while representing our many grower partners.
Our category management and analytics team is acknowledged by major retail customers as differentiated, value-adding and a critical component of helping decision-makers grow their potato and onion categories.
RPE QUICK FACTS
- RPE is a vertically-integrated grower and marketer, representing upwards of 12% of the U.S. fresh potato market.
- We are an industry leader in packaging, storage and logistical solutions.
- RPE has 20 dedicated grower sheds and 40 additional grower-shed partners.
- RPE sources from all major potato-growing states.
- Our team features 150+ years of combined retail experience and comparable sourcing years of experience.
- RPE is well-positioned with a solution for every situation, driven by our diverse packaging offerings, brand expertise and private label partnering flexibility.
Potato Market Update
Russet potato demand and inventories continue to be steady. Storage crop supply will be winding down in the next couple of weeks throughout the majority of the country. The transition from storage to new crop will happen without a gap. Pricing on the larger-sized russet potatoes continues to rise, while pricing on consumers remains unchanged due to the large quantities that remain throughout the country.
New crop white potatoes are available both along the Eastern Shore region as well as California. Pricing is strong and steady.
Our partner growers in Texas are shipping new crop red potatoes with excellent demand. In California, demand is starting to exceed supply. With the extreme heat the Pacific Northwest experienced, the market could look very different in the coming weeks.
Pricing on yellow potatoes remains very strong. This is due to limited availability. Storage crop is officially done for the season. The only yellow potato options for the time are from growers in the southeast, New Mexico and California.
New crop fingerling potatoes are available from growers in California but in a limited way and above-average pricing. Availability will be increasing shortly as growers in Washington, New Mexico, Colorado and Wisconsin will soon be available.
Onion Market Update
New crop overwinter onions are now available from growers in Oregon and Washington State. Medium-sized onions are tight, but jumbos and colossal-sized onions are in good supply. Storage crop onions are in the ground and expected to be harvested next month.
Fresh California onions are available in the San Joaquin Valley. Demand and pricing has been steady over the last couple of weeks.
Walla Walla Sweet onions and Vidalia onions are available! Sweet onions will soon be available from growers in the Pacific Northwest.
Who is buying fresh potatoes?
The potato consumer spans from Boomers (largest purchasers) to Gen X to Millennials
Household income is $50K and over with children 12 years and older.
The potato consumer cares about convenience, nutrition, recipes and the right package for their needs.
Potatoes continued to be purchased most often with milk, bananas, bread, eggs and tomatoes.
