Weather
Locations
Careers
Login
Potato updates
Lower potato stocks, but plenty of supplies still available.
Northwest potato crop development is two weeks ahead of schedule, supported by ideal growing conditions. Processors are swiftly shipping the remaining potatoes in storage. Idaho and Oregon both reported lower potato stocks compared to the previous year, while Washington’s stocks remained stagnant. On June 1, Idaho’s potato stocks decreased to the smallest inventory in the last decade. Nevertheless, raw products are still plentiful, leading some growers to dispose of surplus potatoes or sell to feedlots.
Open market prices have shown improvement but remain below breakeven levels for many producers. In Idaho, Burbank fresh weighted average prices rose by over $1 during the last week of June, reflecting a 15% increase compared to the previous year. Similarly, prices in Washington's Columbia Basin region climbed by more than 15% year over year. Table potato shipments are expected to stay strong over the coming weeks, driven by steady demand.
Global sales of frozen potato products increased by 1% compared to the previous marketing year. The U.S. saw a 2% year-over-year growth in sales. China experienced remarkable growth, increasing exports by 80%. With their expanding potato processing capacity, China has significantly strengthened its position in the Asia-Pacific region. While the U.S. and Canada have maintained relatively stable market shares in this region, China has captured a notable portion of the EU’s market. Last year, China’s exports to the region rose by 9%, while the EU's market share declined 9%. For U.S. potato processors, building and maintaining strong relationships in these critical markets will be essential to preserve export opportunities and protect market share in the face of increasing competition.
Profitability
June 18, 2025Potatoes (Contracted): Breakeven profitability - Neutral 12-month outlook
Potatoes (Uncontracted): Slightly unprofitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Reduced contracted acres and prices, excess 2024 potatoes in storage, and weakening demand will challenge growers’ profitability despite ideal growing conditions.
Open market potato producers will face headwinds as low prices, weaker demand, and expected ideal growing conditions for the new crop are likely to keep prices below breakeven.
The U.S. is the third-largest exporter of potatoes globally, followed by the European Union and Canada. Potato exports are generally categorized into five types: fresh, dehydrated, frozen, seed and chips. By value, frozen potatoes, most commonly in the form of french fries, make up the largest export category. The primary export destinations for U.S. potato products are Mexico, Japan, Canada and South Korea, which together account for 72% of all exports. Despite this, the U.S. imports more potatoes than it exports. This trade imbalance is typical for vegetables, as the U.S. often runs a trade deficit in most vegetable categories. Most imported potato products are sent to areas in the U.S. with limited potato production or consist of raw potatoes from Canada destined for U.S. processing plants.
Potato production, exports and imports
Source: USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. U.S. Census Bureau.
Tariff tracker - Tariff rates applied to U.S. trade partners are consistenly updated to reflect policy changes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tracks duties and tariffs on potato products. For your convenience, the following links will take you to tariff data on prepared, preserved, or frozen potato products (a leading U.S. export for the potato industry) for top markets including Japan and South Korea. Potato products are currently exempt from tariffs with Mexico and Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but please refer to the U.S. Trade Representative website for up-to-date information. WTO also tracks rates for potato imports to the U.S. Please consult with a trade lawyer or professional for detailed and up-to-date insights on tariff rates and their application to potatoes.
For guidance on interpreting duty and tariff rates, please refer to our Tariff Guide.
Potato updates
Lower potato stocks, but plenty of supplies still available.
Northwest potato crop development is two weeks ahead of schedule, supported by ideal growing conditions. Processors are swiftly shipping the remaining potatoes in storage. Idaho and Oregon both reported lower potato stocks compared to the previous year, while Washington’s stocks remained stagnant. On June 1, Idaho’s potato stocks decreased to the smallest inventory in the last decade. Nevertheless, raw products are still plentiful, leading some growers to dispose of surplus potatoes or sell to feedlots.
Open market prices have shown improvement but remain below breakeven levels for many producers. In Idaho, Burbank fresh weighted average prices rose by over $1 during the last week of June, reflecting a 15% increase compared to the previous year. Similarly, prices in Washington's Columbia Basin region climbed by more than 15% year over year. Table potato shipments are expected to stay strong over the coming weeks, driven by steady demand.
Global sales of frozen potato products increased by 1% compared to the previous marketing year. The U.S. saw a 2% year-over-year growth in sales. China experienced remarkable growth, increasing exports by 80%. With their expanding potato processing capacity, China has significantly strengthened its position in the Asia-Pacific region. While the U.S. and Canada have maintained relatively stable market shares in this region, China has captured a notable portion of the EU’s market. Last year, China’s exports to the region rose by 9%, while the EU's market share declined 9%. For U.S. potato processors, building and maintaining strong relationships in these critical markets will be essential to preserve export opportunities and protect market share in the face of increasing competition.
Profitability
June 18, 2025Potatoes (Contracted): Breakeven profitability - Neutral 12-month outlook
Potatoes (Uncontracted): Slightly unprofitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Reduced contracted acres and prices, excess 2024 potatoes in storage, and weakening demand will challenge growers’ profitability despite ideal growing conditions.
Open market potato producers will face headwinds as low prices, weaker demand, and expected ideal growing conditions for the new crop are likely to keep prices below breakeven.
The U.S. is the third-largest exporter of potatoes globally, followed by the European Union and Canada. Potato exports are generally categorized into five types: fresh, dehydrated, frozen, seed and chips. By value, frozen potatoes, most commonly in the form of french fries, make up the largest export category. The primary export destinations for U.S. potato products are Mexico, Japan, Canada and South Korea, which together account for 72% of all exports. Despite this, the U.S. imports more potatoes than it exports. This trade imbalance is typical for vegetables, as the U.S. often runs a trade deficit in most vegetable categories. Most imported potato products are sent to areas in the U.S. with limited potato production or consist of raw potatoes from Canada destined for U.S. processing plants.
Potato production, exports and imports
Source: USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. U.S. Census Bureau.
Tariff tracker - Tariff rates applied to U.S. trade partners are consistenly updated to reflect policy changes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tracks duties and tariffs on potato products. For your convenience, the following links will take you to tariff data on prepared, preserved, or frozen potato products (a leading U.S. export for the potato industry) for top markets including Japan and South Korea. Potato products are currently exempt from tariffs with Mexico and Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but please refer to the U.S. Trade Representative website for up-to-date information. WTO also tracks rates for potato imports to the U.S. Please consult with a trade lawyer or professional for detailed and up-to-date insights on tariff rates and their application to potatoes.
For guidance on interpreting duty and tariff rates, please refer to our Tariff Guide.
