British Columbia's potato production in 2024 did not meet its five-year average, as reported by Statistics Canada, with the total output registering at 85,199 metric tons (MT). The yield per hectare remained stable at 36.9 MT, but the reduction in the planted area was a notable factor behind the decreased production. The province saw a decrease in potato acreage to 2,390 hectares, a decline from 2,630 hectares in 2020 and a peak of 2,933 hectares in 2016. Approximately 81 hectares of potatoes were not harvested due to the early arrival of fall weather conditions.
This year's harvest was 5% below the five-year average of 89,437 MT, aligning with the expectations set by growers during the annual potato field day in Delta. "The yield will be down this year because we had such a late spring," commented Rod Burr of Burr Farms in Ladner. This sentiment was echoed across the board, especially after the region experienced high yields in 2023. The cautious approach to not overplanting was beneficial, given the early fall weather challenges.
While BC's potato production saw a downturn, the national output in Canada reached a record high with nearly 5.76 million MT harvested. The national yields were slightly higher than BC's at 37.1 MT per hectare, and the total harvested area across Canada increased to 155,288 hectares. BC contributes about 1.5% to the national potato harvest, mainly focusing on fresh market sales, with Kennebec potatoes being the preferred variety for chipping among food service providers.
Source: Country Life in BC