IDAHO FALLS, ID – Every February, the hot topic for conversation in the potato industry is The Idaho Potato Lover’s Month annual display contest, where the Idaho Potato Commission sponsors a national retailer display contest.

With last month having been no exception, Potandon Produce, the largest fresh potato marketer in the nation, is a huge supporter of the contest, offering matching prizes to retailers who use their Idaho brands.

Ralph Schwartz, Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Innovation states that, “Demand for Idaho russet potatoes has been good the first couple of months of 2016, with the contest keeping consumer bag sales strong and pricing stable.”

“We’re seeing very strong demand on our variety potatoes from Idaho, especially our proprietary Klondike Rose® and Klondike Goldust® varieties,” Ralph tells me.

In fact, Ralph shared that January was a record month for shipping Potandon’s Klondike Express shelf-stable microwaveable potatoes.

“Demand on mini and specialty potatoes has been excellent in the early part of 2016,” Ralph says. “The six-minute cooking time and low retail price on the Klondike Express makes it a perfect item for time-starved consumers who want to serve fresh potatoes to their families. We’re also seeing amazing sales on our 24oz mini Gourmet potato line, due in large part to our free-standing display shipper program.”

He reports that volume for both red and white potatoes have picked up on the East Coast with the start of the Florida harvest, and that storage crop red potatoes supplies are at adequate levels in Red River Valley.

Looking ahead to coming promotional times, Ralph tells me, “We’re expecting heavy demand on all of our varietal potatoes for Saint Patrick’s Day and strong russet demand for Easter.”

With no gaps expected leading up to the start of variety potato shipments of the new Arizona crop in late May, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep its ear to the ground on this and all other produce categories.

Potandon Produce