Sad to see the farmers of PEI suffering from the market glut and low prices for potatoes. Here are some acreage stats on the reality of the North American market from this agricultural consultancy firm:
And speaking of potatoes…
- Slight dip in US potato acreage since 2003
- This year, total potato acreage across the United States is down 7% – or 88,300 acres. This year’s total is 1,184,300 vs. 1,272,600 last year.
- Dramatic 5-year shift in potato acreage distribution in Canada
- since 1999, P.E.I.’s potato acreage has shrunk by 7000 acres.
- All other provinces’ potato acreage has increased by 68,000 acres.
How introducing only a cap at the present 106,000 acres in addition to the practice of crop destruction in such a small part of the total continental market will effect the desired change is not clear to me – but it is not like there is really an answer to the whole situation.