Specialty Potato Varieties in Pennsylvania

Abstract

Acreage of white potato production in Pennsylvania has steadily declined in the past 20 years, from ≈25,000 acres in 1976 to 18,000 acres in 1996. This decline in acreage has occurred mainly with potatoes used for chips, with a much smaller acreage loss for tablestock potatoes. The most common tablestock varieties on the market are round white or long russet varieties, which have been around for 30 to 50 years. However, the 90's consumer is more perceptive and creative with food choices, such that color, texture, and taste have become important characteristics in choosing new food items. Specialty new potatoes represent a relatively unexplored market with excellent potential for sales expansion in the fresh market and tablestock industry. Today's consumers are demanding more variety with respect to virtually all produce commodities and potatoes are no exception. Consumers demand different size, color, and taste of fresh vegetables, including potatoes. New specialty potato varieties (Yukon Gold is an example) are currently in demand by restaurants and some retail markets, and it appears that relatively high returns are possible with these specialty potatoes. Twenty-nine red, buff, or blue-skinned and white-, yellow-, purple-, or red-fl eshed potato varieties were planted in a replicated study at the Hort Research Farm, Rock Springs, Pa., in 1996. Yield and quality characteristics of these varieties will be presented along with some consumer acceptance/evaluation data collected from a local supermarket.