Potato market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. fresh or chilled potato market volume contracted from 20 426 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 18 293 thousand tonnes in 2022. This multi-year decline was primarily driven by a sustained consumer shift away from fresh potatoes toward value-added processed products like frozen French fries, a trend accelerated by demand from fast-food chains and reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic as home cooking increased the need for convenient, longer-shelf-life options.

Market volume rebounded to 20 045 thousand tonnes in 2023, marking a reversal of the previous trend. This recovery was supported by significant industry investments, including Lamb Weston Holdings' expansion of French fry processing capacity in Idaho, and the launch of new processed potato products with enhanced flavors by leading companies. Concurrent consumer trends favoring premium, health-conscious, and sustainable potato products further underpinned the market's expansion.

Production potato in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked fifth globally in potato production volume.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in the United States declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 19 052 thousand tonnes of potatoes, down 1.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 6.9%, averaging an annual decrease of 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of potato output in the United States reached 9 202 million US dollars, up 2.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 948 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 9 998 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 10.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports potato from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 506.2 thousand tonnes of potatoes, a 7.9% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 481.6 thousand tonnes, and the highest was in 2019 at 549.6 thousand tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2018, falling by 11.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, Mexico, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, were the main buyers of US potatoes by volume. Canada accounted for 47.1% of exports, Mexico for 20.2%, and Asia for 7.1%, together making up 74.4% of total potato exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, US potato exports were valued at 244.5 million US dollars, showing a modest decline of 4.3% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 235.8 million US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 255.5 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Mexico, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, were the leading buyers of US potatoes by value. Canada represented 41.7% of exports, Mexico 20.9%, and Asia 7.8%, collectively accounting for 70.3% of total potato exports in monetary terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, US potato imports rebounded in 2020. Import volume reached 501.5 thousand tonnes, a 21.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 412.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the primary source of potato imports to the United States, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, US potato imports surged to 285.8 million US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 29.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 220.3 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that year, falling by 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Canada dominated US potato imports by value, consistently representing 99.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020