North American Potato Production Slips as Acreage Declines

Higher yields are cushioning lower acreage, but reduced production could support firmer potato prices into 2026.

Carol_Ann_Sayle_05_27_16_USA_TX_Boggy_Creek_Farm_001.jpg red potatoes in a basket

FarmHER, Inc.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — North American potato production edged lower in 2025, reflecting reduced acreage and uneven yields across major producing countries. According to a new report (PDF Version) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), combined U.S. and Canadian potato production totaled 538 million hundredweight, down 2 percent from 2024.

U.S. potato output was estimated at 412 million hundredweight, also down 2 percent year over year, driven largely by a sharp reduction in planted and harvested acres. Harvested U.S. potato acreage fell to about 895,000 acres, the lowest in a decade, even as average yields climbed to a record 461 hundredweight per acre, helping limit the production decline.

In Canada, potato production dipped 1 percent to 126 million hundredweight, as higher acreage was offset by lower yields. Mexico moved in the opposite direction, with 2024 potato production rising 7 percent to 46.8 million hundredweight, supported by steady acreage and improving yields.

Across North America, total potato acreage declined in 2025, while productivity gains helped stabilize supplies. Price data for 2025 remain incomplete, but earlier years show elevated values following tighter supplies.

The top three U.S. potato-producing states include Idaho, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Idaho, by far the largest producer, typically accounts for about one-third of total U.S. potato production. Idaho leads in both acreage and total output, driven by irrigated production and processing demand. Washington is the second-largest producer, with strong yields and a heavy focus on processing potatoes (frozen fries, dehydrated products). Ranking third is Wisconsin, supplying both fresh and processing markets, particularly in the Upper Midwest.

Related Stories
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.
Record milk output looks strong today, but shrinking replacement numbers mean future supply adjustments could be faster and more volatile.
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.
Strong blending demand continues to support ethanol use even as production and exports fluctuate.
Early indications suggest the U.S. cattle industry may be nearing the end of its liquidation phase. Oklahoma State University livestock economist Dr. Derrell Peel says the industry could be at or near the cyclical low.
Mixed product pricing and rising milk supplies suggest margin management will remain critical as 2026 unfolds.
Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
Meat stocks rose seasonally but remain below last year overall, while tighter butter inventories could support dairy prices, and belly stocks warrant close watch for pork markets.
A mid-January winter storm delivered snow, ice, and extreme cold to a broad swath of the U.S., disrupting transportation, stressing livestock systems, and adding cost and complexity to winter farm operations as producers look toward spring.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

As cattle markets show renewed strength, producers gathering at CattleCon are focused on protecting operations, managing risk, and positioning for opportunity in the year ahead.
Modest rate relief may come late in 2026, but borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated.
Purdue University Professor of Agricultural Economics Dr. Jim Mintert shares a closer look at farmer sentiment and the key issues shaping the agricultural economy in January.
Stronger U.S.-Guatemala trade rules favor dependable, regionally integrated supply chains — rewarding execution and commitment over cost-only sourcing.
China-led demand continues to anchor soybean and sorghum exports despite weekly swings.
Shrinking slaughter capacity may delay heifer retention, complicating herd rebuilding plans.
Agriculture Shows
The goal of “Where the Food Comes From” is as simple as its name implies — host Chip Carter takes you along on the journey of where our food comes from — and we don’t just mean to the supermarket (though that’s part of the big picture!). But beyond where it comes from, how it gets there, and all the links in the chain that make that happen.
Join markets specialist Scott Shellady, better known as the Cow Guy, as he covers the market-close, breaking down headlines that drive the commodities and equities markets with commentary from respected industry heavyweights.
Crop yield champions David Hula from Virginia and Randy Dowdy from Georgia are back for another season with the aim of schooling more growers across the country in their winning ways.
“Texas Agriculture Matters” is a fun, informative look at the role of agriculture in our daily lives. The show utilizes the trademark wit and wisdom of its host Commissioner Sid Miller — an 8th-generation farmer-rancher and 12-time World Champion rodeo cowboy — to explore a new Texas ag-related topic each week.