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Potatoes

Contents
 
Contents
 

Overview

  • Potatoes are the leading vegetable crop in the United States (not including sweet potatoes), contributing to about 15 percent of farm sales receipts for vegetables.
  • Although potatoes are grown year round, the fall crop comprises roughly 90 percent of potato production for the year.
  • Among major produce crops, potatoes are second only to grapes in farm cash receipts.
  • Over 50 percent of potato sales are to processors for french fries, chips, dehydrated potatoes, and other potato products. The remainder goes to the fresh market.
  • Americans consume about 130 pounds of fresh and processed potatoes annually, 40 pounds more than tomatoes, the next most commonly eaten vegetable.
  • Since 2000, export volumes of potato products have averaged 4.7 million pounds, or roughly 1 percent of U.S. potato production.

ERS provides economic analyses and data on changing conditions in the U.S. potato sector. Topics include production, consumption, international trade, prices received, and more.

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For more information, contact: Rachael Dettmann

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Updated date: June 29, 2009