Market Distribution of Potato Products in the United States

Biing-Hwan Lin, Gary Lucier, Jane Allshouse, and Linda Scott-Kantor

Elsewhere No. (0201), January 2002

Potatoes are the most important vegetable crop in the United States, accounting for 16 percent of all vegetable and melon farm cash receipts in 1998. However, little is known about the distribution of potato consumption across different marketing sectors, geographic regions, or population groups. Using data from USDA’s 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, this study examines the consumption distribution of six potato products in the United States. The analysis indicates that fast-food establishments and restaurants dominate the french fries market. There are distinct regional variations in the use of potato use. African Americans consume more potato chips and french fries, on a per capita basis, than other Americans. Senior Americans favor consumption of fresh and canned potatoes, while teenagers consume more chips and french fries than others.

Keywords: USDA food consumption survey data, U.S. potato consumption

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Updated date: January 2002