EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. — The total potato acres planted estimate by USDA-NASS for North Dakota shows 2,000 fewer acres were planted in 2017 than in 2016, but a breakdown of USDA type data shows discrepancies with NPPGA numbers.
For example the USDA published data shows that that only one percent of North Dakota planted acres are yellow potatoes, or about 780 acres. NPPGA’s own survey would indicate over 2,000 acres were planted for the fresh crop alone, not counting those planted for seed.
Also the white potato number seems high, in fact it tops the list for acres planted in North Dakota by a wide margin. Even with more white-skinned varieties being used for frozen processing, it still seems to be a stretch.
When examining type data numbers, it is important to remember that seed acres are included with fresh and processing numbers. Also take note that.acres do not correlate with production, especially in North Dakota. In North Dakota the red acres and russet acres planted are about the same, but russet production will double or even triple red production because all russet acres are irrigated and the great majority of red acres are non-irrigated.
Here are the numbers for North Dakota:
TYPE | 2017 ACRES | SHARE OF ACRES | COMPARED TO 2016 |
RED | 22,620 | 29% | Down 2% |
WHITE | 31,200 | 40% | Up 4% |
YELLOW | 780 | 1% | Unchanged |
RUSSET | 23,400 | 30% | Down 2% |
TOTAL | 78,000 | 100% | Down 2.5% |
Minnesota USDA-NASS numbers seem to be a bit more in line, but total acres continue to be a mystery. It is highly unlikely that Minnesota increased from 40,000 planted acres in 2016 to 45,000 acres in 2017 as reported. Here are the Minnesota numbers:
TYPE | 2017 ACRES | SHARE OF ACRES | COMPARED TO 2016 |
RED | 6,750 | 15% | Down 5% |
WHITE | 4,050 | 9% | Up 4% |
YELLOW | 2,250 | 5% | Unchanged |
RUSSET | 31,950 | 71% | Up 1% |
TOTAL | 45,000 | 100% | Up 8.8% |
— Ted Kreis, NPPGA Communications
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