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Potato updates
Smaller crop, same challenge.
Potato supplies have tightened considerably, but weak demand continues to limit price recovery. USDA's June 1 stocks report showed total U.S. potato inventories at 54.7 million cwt, their lowest level since 2014. Despite tighter supplies, open-market potato prices remain depressed. The disconnect between lower inventories and weaker prices suggests demand remains softer than expected, although there is speculation that Pacific Northwest inventories may be understated.
Potato acreage continues to decline as growers adjust to weaker market conditions and ongoing profitability concerns. USDA's June 30 Acreage Report showed total U.S. potato planted area down 3.3% from 2025, marking the smallest planted acreage in more than 70 years. Across AgWest territory, acreage was largely unchanged in Oregon and Washington, while California reduced plantings by 1,000 acres and Idaho planted 15,000 fewer acres year over year. Notably, the Idaho Potato Commission's satellite-based estimate suggests acreage is more than 1,000 acres lower than USDA's reported total. While acreage reductions could help improve market balance over time, producers remain focused on managing margins amid continued uncertainty surrounding prices, input costs, and demand trends.
Pacific Northwest potato conditions remain generally favorable, though water availability continues to shape production decisions across the region. Potato development is running ahead of normal in most growing areas. In Idaho, localized frost and hail damage has affected some acres, and drought and water availability remain concerns. Washington's Columbia Basin continues to benefit from favorable growing conditions, supporting near-normal crop progress, with both yields and tuber size profiles expected to be strong. In contrast, Oregon's Klamath Basin remains heavily influenced by water availability, which is expected to limit planted acreage and result in lower potato production this season.
Producer profitability remains under pressure despite tighter potato supplies and favorable growing conditions. Open-market russet potato prices remain well below year-ago levels and below breakeven for many operations. Until demand improves or pricing strengthens, profitability is expected to remain a key concern across the industry.
Profitability
June 10, 2026Potatoes (contracted): Slightly profitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Potatoes (uncontracted): Unprofitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Contract pricing has helped stabilize returns, but rising and unpredictable input costs are significantly limiting profitability.
Open market prices have collapsed amid oversupply, with returns far below production costs.
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
Smaller crop, same challenge.
Potato supplies have tightened considerably, but weak demand continues to limit price recovery. USDA's June 1 stocks report showed total U.S. potato inventories at 54.7 million cwt, their lowest level since 2014. Despite tighter supplies, open-market potato prices remain depressed. The disconnect between lower inventories and weaker prices suggests demand remains softer than expected, although there is speculation that Pacific Northwest inventories may be understated.
Potato acreage continues to decline as growers adjust to weaker market conditions and ongoing profitability concerns. USDA's June 30 Acreage Report showed total U.S. potato planted area down 3.3% from 2025, marking the smallest planted acreage in more than 70 years. Across AgWest territory, acreage was largely unchanged in Oregon and Washington, while California reduced plantings by 1,000 acres and Idaho planted 15,000 fewer acres year over year. Notably, the Idaho Potato Commission's satellite-based estimate suggests acreage is more than 1,000 acres lower than USDA's reported total. While acreage reductions could help improve market balance over time, producers remain focused on managing margins amid continued uncertainty surrounding prices, input costs, and demand trends.
Pacific Northwest potato conditions remain generally favorable, though water availability continues to shape production decisions across the region. Potato development is running ahead of normal in most growing areas. In Idaho, localized frost and hail damage has affected some acres, and drought and water availability remain concerns. Washington's Columbia Basin continues to benefit from favorable growing conditions, supporting near-normal crop progress, with both yields and tuber size profiles expected to be strong. In contrast, Oregon's Klamath Basin remains heavily influenced by water availability, which is expected to limit planted acreage and result in lower potato production this season.
Producer profitability remains under pressure despite tighter potato supplies and favorable growing conditions. Open-market russet potato prices remain well below year-ago levels and below breakeven for many operations. Until demand improves or pricing strengthens, profitability is expected to remain a key concern across the industry.
Profitability
June 10, 2026Potatoes (contracted): Slightly profitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Potatoes (uncontracted): Unprofitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Contract pricing has helped stabilize returns, but rising and unpredictable input costs are significantly limiting profitability.
Open market prices have collapsed amid oversupply, with returns far below production costs.
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.
