Potatoes expected to be available despite poor harvest
TABER – The executive director of the Potato Growers of Alberta isn’t as concerned as some about the possibility of a potato shortage due to a poor harvest.
The final harvest update from the United Potato Growers of Canada said producers in many regions were forced to leave large portions of their crop in the ground. That includes 6,800 acres in Prince Edward Island, 500-1,500 acres in New Brunswick, nearly 2,000 acres in Quebec, and 5,200 acres in Manitoba.
In Alberta, the amount of crop abandoned was around 500 acres. A cold snap affected colour as well. But Terence Hochstein said it’s too soon to tell what impact it will have.
“Every growing area across Canada had some issues this year. Alberta was certainly included in that – no more than normal,” he said. “A cold, damp harvest, extended cold period, but we did come out quite a bit better than every other area of the country.”