MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
June 29, 2001
Our last PRODUCE MAN PUZZZZLE dealt with summer stonefruit: Which is older, white-flesh or yellow-flesh Nectarines? We had a lot of people say that yellow-flesh Nectarines are older than white-flesh Nectarines. "We've only started seeing the white Nectarines over the past few years," says one manager. Well, that manager was joined by many who thought the same thing. However, every yellow-flesh Nectarine variety has been around only since WWII. Before that, all Nectarines were white in flesh. In fact, that's why it was difficult to market the Nectarines. White flesh Nectarines had very high sugar content and were very delicate. During the Middle Ages, these white flesh Nectarines were harvested and taken into the castles of the Kings and Queens of England, on a pillow. That's how delicate they were. So, white-flesh Nectarines are older. This week's PUZZZZLE deals with summer stonefruit: What do the Friar Plum, Fantasia Nectarine, Fairlane Peach and Flame Seedless Grape have in common? See next week's "Fresh Tips" for the answer.
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POTATOES: Prices are high, and will remain high right into late September
or early October when the new crop really kicks into harvest. Until then,
growers are struggling with limited storage supplies from the Northwest
as each week, another shipper ends their packing.
Quality is typical for this time of year, with more storage cracks, softness and some sprouting. So far, growers in the Northwest tell us that growing conditions for this Fall's crop of spuds are producing fairly healthy plants, however growers are very concerned about water. Actually, about the lack of water. The tight water supply which has helped contribute to the power crisis in the West, is also causing concern with potato growers. The critical time will be August. If the drought conditions continue through August, growers will run out of water and that could cause a much reduced crop this Fall.August is the month when the potatoes gain over 50% of their weight and size. Without adequate water, the spuds won't "bulk-up" as much and that will mean less yields per acre.
Idaho still leads the nation in spud supply, accounting for about 400,000 acres. Washington has about 150,000 acres. Planted acreage in Idaho is down about 10 - 15%. Over the past 5 years, potato markets have been overall depressed, with oversupply and sluggish demand nationwide. One reason for oversupply is that over the past several years, there hasn't been any major weather condition that has ruined crops in some part of the country.
Most growing regions have had fair to excellent growing conditions, leading to higher yields, higher quality, larger supplies, and lower prices. Another reason is that NAFTA has opened up the border for more Canadian potatoes to be imported. That has greatly affected the processed potato market, which indirectly impacts the fresh market supply. If processors need fewer spuds for their fries, then those potatoes are left in storage for the fresh market. This year, for the first time, the U.S. imported more processed potatoes than we exported. Most of those imports were from Canada.
All of this has led to less acres planted this year. It has also led to many growers closing their doors. In 1980, there were about 3400 growers in Idaho. This year, there are around 600 growers. Wisconsin is having too much rain this year, which could cause some losses there. Even with these higher prices, potatoes provide the best nutrition for the least amount of money. In the produce department, spuds are still the cheapest vegetable to buy. And they are so versatile at home. We were so accustomed to almost "give-away" prices on potatoes, we might feel spoiled. Well don't. Potatoes are a produce powerhouse.