Potato Market Update
The russet potato market continues to be very strong. All areas are busy with plenty of holiday business. Pricing appears to be very strong. All growers are experiencing exceptional demand from both the holiday and a recent COVID-19 surge.
Growers in Wisconsin are experiencing a lot of demand this holiday season. We expect Wisconsin to finish with their crop earlier than ever—most likely out of yellow potato supply before Christmas. Don’t worry, Wisconsin growers will have ample supplies of red potatoes through January, making way for the new crop from Florida to arrive.
No changes in demand for white potatoes. The market remains very steady with most sales remaining relatively close to where they’re being packed.
Fingerling and red potatoes are your varieties to promote. There are ample supplies in all shipping areas.
Onion Market Update
Overall onion demand has been steady thanks to Thanksgiving business and the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program.
Medium yellow onions continue to be in high demand, as well as jumbo and medium white onions. Growers in the Columbia Basin have excellent quality this year on all three colors.
The tight trucking market continues across the country as we head into the week of Thanksgiving. Rates continue to be higher than normal.
Contact your RPE sales representative today and let us help you with your onion needs!
Although potatoes are one of the most popular dishes to serve on Thanksgiving, contrary to popular belief, they were not part of the first Thanksgiving. That’s right, potatoes weren’t mashed or roasted, white or sweet; in fact, potatoes never saw the table at the first Thanksgiving. After encountering the potato in its native South America, Spanish Conquistadors began introducing the potato to Europeans in the mid-to late-1500’s; however, by the time the Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower, the potato had not doubled back to North America or even become popular enough with the English to hitch a ride west.
Fast forward almost 400 years; it is hard not to find some form of potato at every single Thanksgiving meal. Fun Fact: According to Betty Crocker in a 2017 report, the state of Illinois voted that mashed potatoes were their most favorite Thanksgiving food.
I will not say everyone loves potatoes on the holiday, but almost everyone does. Given that, retailers need to take advantage of this increased demand for potatoes for the rest of this year. Prices are coming down so there should be plenty of opportunities to run promotions during this time.
As promotional activity increases, expand your potato-home location space in stores. Allow more space to keep up with demand and reduce the risk of running out of supplies during the day. Go the extra mile and create secondary displays for potatoes across the produce department as well as in meat and seafood sections. There is a lot of margin in fresh herbs so cross-merchandise these in and around all of your potato displays.
Don’t forget sweet potatoes! We all know that the sweet potato business is going to increase tremendously during this time, so do not sell yourself short. Build some award-winning sweet potato displays in-store and watch your sales and margins increase. Contact your RPE sales representative and get those potato deals going today.
