Florida Potato Growers positive on quality of crop

Florida potato growers are packing their heaviest seasonal volume. Demand and movement of Florida potatoes remain strong from mid-March through the end of April, the deal’s largest volume period, grower-shippers report.

Denton McNamara, a salesman with the Winter Park-based South Florida Potato Growers Exchange, said production is strong enough that he doesn’t expect a gap between south and north Florida, which often occurs.

“The crops in south Florida are beautiful,” he said March 30. “We don’t foresee anything (detrimental) happening unless the rain holds some back and we expect quality to be good throughout.”

Production of reds and yellows in west-central Florida’s Parrish area east of Tampa remains strong and though northern Florida experienced some heavy rains, the crop there looks well too, McNamara said.

In late March, McNamara said prices for reds were increasing while the yellow market remains high as growers weren’t producing enough of them.

He said movement remains strong across all colors.