2007 - Potatoes at WSU - Washington State University

LTS
2007 Late Harvest Tri-State Trial
Fresh Value
Economic Potential
The gross return in U.S. dollars per acre for each trial entry was calculated using WA (Columbia
Basin) four-year average fresh potatoes prices. Production costs per acre were not applied. All
assumptions are listed at the front of the book under “Fresh Market Value-Methods”. Assessing the
fresh value of a given lot of potatoes is difficult because the actual market allows fresh-pack sheds to
utilize a mix of tuber sizes and packaging to meet demand changes in an effort to maximize income
potential. Following discussions with actual pack-sheds and complying with USDA standards, the
packaging and size ranges used to produce the fresh values below (figure 1) provide a good base for
variety comparison. A packaging and handling fee (pack-shed operating fee) of $3.50 was assessed
on each CWT of potatoes. This economic evaluation does not fully account for consumer preferences
for each trial entry. Figure 1, below, shows the gross value of all trial entries.
Figure 1. Difference in gross return per acre (Fresh Market) from Russet Norkotah calculated by
subtracting the gross return of Russet Norkotah ($4150) from the gross return of the particular entry.
Entries with the white-colored bars may not appeal to fresh market consumers due to undesirable
shape or appearance.
2007 Potato Cultivar Evaluations 42 WSU Potato Research Group