Spuds and Beets

Spuds and Beets

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Here we are, springtime, I'm sure you already know what's going on in terms of planting and planning. However, we have an agricultural analyst by the name of Michael Stolp at Northwest Farm Credit Services who has spent all of his time figuring out what is happening with potatoes and sugar beets. If those are crops you have committed to, certainly what Michael has to say is worth listening to. Here he is:

Potatoes -- Northwest potato markets are stable heading into spring, with manageable supplies and generally profitable prices. Northwest potato stocks were down 11.0 percent year-over-year as of March 1. Given lower supplies, growers are limiting potato sales, anticipating shortages and corresponding price increases by season end. Current fresh potato prices range between $6.00 and $8.50 per cwt. depending on quality and grower location. Northwest FCS estimates potato producers' breakevens between $6.00 and $6.50 per cwt.

 

Sugar Beets -- International and domestic sugar prices remain bearish, pressured by high sugar supplies. Northwest FCS estimates sugar beet producers' breakeven prices between $35 and $38 per ton. Grower returns are projected at $40 per ton for the 2013 crop by the Snake River Sugar Company. Western Sugar projects grower returns of $35.21 per ton for the year. Given current market fundamentals, sugar beet growers' returns are not expected to improve with the 2014 crop.

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