The potato harvest in the US is 5% lower than last season. This is according to the estimate of NASS, the statistical service of the USDA. The smaller harvest is partly due to a reduction in acreage, but the weather also did not cooperate completely for American growers.
The total potato harvest is estimated at 417,85 million cwt (approximately 21,2 million tons). The harvest is 5,1% lower than last season when 440,13 million cwt (approximately 22,4 million tons) was harvested. The area harvested last season was 923.100 acres compared to 961.100 acres a year earlier. The average yield was 453 cwt per arce (approximately 50,8 tons per hectare) 1,1% lower than last season.
Major regional differences
In Idaho, where about a third of the American potatoes come from, the weather did not cooperate for a top yield. The season in this state started early and well. Late frost in June, hail in July and a heat wave in August did not promote the growth of the potatoes. Despite the setbacks with the weather, the yield was 'only' 0,6 tons per hectare lower at 48,2 tons per hectare. In neighboring state Washington, the average yield was 2,2% higher than last season at 72,3 tons per hectare. That is equal to the top yield of 2020. Incidentally, the total harvest in Washington was almost 4% lower compared to last season. The largest drop in the potato harvest was in Florida, where the harvest was 31% smaller compared to last year. Incidentally, the Florida harvest is just under 1% of the total American potato harvest.