State of Potato Industry Remains Consistent

Potato production has declined for the past 20 years, so says the numbers, but John Toaspern of Potatoes USA said that is a little misleading.

“Improvement in the way we are doing it than a real reduction, so basically the utilization of U.S.-grown potatoes has remained over this three-year period that we have these figures for.”

Those efficiencies are everywhere in the system from growers are choosing better varieties and becoming smarter, all the way to the dinner table where families are throwing fewer potatoes away.

Toaspern said 41 percent of all U.S. potatoes are now processed into frozen products, 26 percent are sold fresh which is a reversal of what was the figures 30-40 years ago.

Another change is the growth of potato chips and that fewer people are eating at home and while changes are happening Toaspern noted that there is still difficulty finding new markets.

“When you have this level of penetration, it’s tough to get people to add more potatoes to their menu. They already have them on there, it’s how do we get them to do, a new, a different approach and that’s what we’ve really been focused on.”

Potatoes are the main side dish for meals with french fries the most popular.

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