How does cold storage rent work for potato and is it worth it for a small grower?

I store only part of my potato now after a bad year where rent plus a flat market wiped my margin. Selling some at harvest gives cash and reduces the gamble. Never store the whole crop on the hope of a price jump.

Remember the weight and quality loss too, not just the rent. When I take potatoes out after the full season they weigh less and some have sprouted, so my saleable quantity is smaller than what I stored. Factor that shrinkage into your sums, because on 3 acres it can quietly eat the price gain you were counting on.

I learned the hard way to never store my entire crop. One year cold store rent plus a flat market meant I barely broke even. Now I sell half at harvest and store half.

Get the rent per bag, the loading charges and any advance interest in writing before you load. Some stores quote a low rent but the extras add up. Compare the total holding cost against the price rise you actually expect, not the best case.