Potato Industry contributes 6.7 billion to the Idaho Economy

One of the most important aspects of Idaho's potato industry is its value-added component, agricultural economist Paul Patterson said.

"Most of the potatoes are going to go to a fresh-pack shed or a processor,"Patterson said. "That adds value. That creates jobs, that keeps the money flowing within the state."

Sales of potatoes and potato products from Idaho in 2002 was $3.4 billion and the total economic impact was $6.7 billion. 

Read the report: "Contribution of the Potato Industry to Idaho's Economy"by Garth Taylor, Paul Patterson, Joe Guenthner and Lindy Widner