News and Stories

UPDATE: Idaho Potatoes

August 14, 2017

The Idaho storage crop Burbank season is winding down. Markon First Crop (MFC) Idaho Burbank Potatoes will be available through August 19. New crop, field-run Norkotahs are on the market. 

Storage Crop

  • Burbank quality is fair
    • Pressure bruising is more prevalent at this point in the season
    • Hollow heart is sporadic
  • 40- and 50-count potatoes are more readily available than in recent weeks; 60- through 120-count potatoes are tighter
  • Prices are inching up

New Crop Norkotahs and Burbanks

  • New crop Norkotah production started August 8; most Idaho sheds will fully transition to new crop Norkotahs the week of August 21
  • Quality is good; minor skinning and excess moisture may be observed in fresh-run potatoes 
  • The crop is dominated by 70- to 80-count sizes
  • Depending on the size, new crop Norkotah cartons are $3.00 to $5.00 higher than Burbanks
  • New crop Burbank production will begin in late September/early October

Solar Eclipse August 21

  • The majority of sheds will not pack or ship Monday, August 21 as Eastern Idaho expects an influx of 100,000 to 500,000 people for the solar eclipse event
  • Markon recommends loading orders that would start Monday, August 21, on Friday, August 18 or Wednesday, August 23 to avoid visitor traffic

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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