Canadian potato landscape: Record stocks and regional disparities define the market

With a total of 52,393,000 cwt in storage, stocks are well above the 5-year average. ​ The majority of the potatoes are in the western provinces, particularly in the processing sector. ​ In Quebec and the Maritimes, potato stocks are lower than last year and the 5-year average due to a rainy growing season and higher cull rates. ​ However, the fresh sector remains well balanced, with no concerns about carryover into the new crop. ​ In the processing sector, stocks are 24% higher than last year, driven by record production and increased acreage. ​Despite surplus, there is movement from west to east to balance out shortages. ​ The seed sector saw increased movement in March, but overall stocks are 5.6% lower than last year in April. ​ Inventories are higher than the 5-year average in PEI and Ontario, but reduced in other regions. ​ In March, total potato disappearance in Canada was slightly lower than last year, with movement down in the east. ​ The seed sector outpaced last year’s ...