Potato Planting Nearing Completion

Jun 01, 2020

Manitoba's potato crop is starting to emerge.

Keystone Potato Producers Association (KPPA) Manager Dan Sawatzky says, on the processed side, planting is basically complete.

He talked about potato acres for this year.

"They're down a little bit from last year. COVID-19 has disrupted our markets, we're guessing around 2,000 acres below last year. One of the processors is up a little bit in volume and acreage and the other one is down."

Sawatzky says at least one processor has made layoffs due to COVID-19. He notes growers are being forced to store potatoes from last year, which can lead to a greater potential for deterioration.

The 2020 potato crop is about a week to ten days behind normal.

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