News on Potato Stats, Trade, Prices from Washington

June 22, 2023

Potato growers can’t keep up with 'red hot' global demand

Washington potato farmers can’t keep pace with worldwide cravings for french fries, hash browns, tots, potato chips and other processed potato products.

The WSU study estimates the reduced potato acreage lowers production by 13% or 729,120 tons of potatoes, equivalent to the weight of about 76 Space Needles.

September 11, 2020

Economic hit of COVID-19 to the Washington State Potato Sector estimated at USD 1 Billion

A WSU study has estimated the 2020 economic losses from potato production and processing in Washington. The demand shocks of COVID-19 resulted in a hit of roughly $1 billion dollars in gross state product.

January 07, 2020

2020 Potato contract negotiations underway

Negotiations are underway for next year’s potato grower contracts in Washington.

December 04, 2019

Japan's Upper House Approves Historic U.S.- Japan Agreement on Agricultural Trade

The National Potato Council cheered the passage of the U.S.- Japan Agreement on Agricultural Trade by Japan’s Upper House.

January 27, 2019

United States Potato Industry hopes to export to China

Oregon Potato Commission CEO Bill Brewer told the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference in Kennewick, Washington, that US industry leaders hope negotiations will open China to fresh potatoes.

August 13, 2018

Washington potato growers struggling to keep up with demand

The Washington State Potato Commission, headquartered in Moses Lake, Washington, has been pleasantly surprised by the weather and its impact on this year’s potato crop in the state.

May 19, 2016

Potato Products and TPP: International Trade Commission’s report highlights benefits

The recently released U.S. International Trade Commission’s report on the potential economic impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) provides many examples of the benefits this free trade agreement would provide.

February 25, 2015

Tentative agreement US West Coast Ports - but effects may last

Columbia Basin potato processors slowed down during the West Coast port impasse, making fewer potatoes into french fries, hash browns and other potato products shipped around the world.

March 05, 2010

One year later, costly trade blunder still in effect

March 10 marks the one-year anniversary of Congress’s decision to terminate the cross-border trucking program with Mexico, a move found illegal under NAFTA and generating retaliatory tariffs on more than 90 U.S. products and subsequent decreases in export