NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Sweet potatoes remain one of the South’s most recognizable specialty crops, and they hold a prominent place on holiday tables across the United States. For U.S. producers, the crop represents both cultural heritage and an increasingly important revenue stream, driven by steady domestic consumption and expanding export markets.
According to Josh Maples with Mississippi State University, national sweet potato acreage topped 150,000 acres in 2024, with North Carolina planting 87,000 acres — 58 percent of U.S. acreage — and Mississippi following at 32,000 acres. California added another 18,000. Production in Mississippi is concentrated around Vardaman, while eastern counties anchor North Carolina’s supply chain. Louisiana, once a major producer, has declined sharply due to high costs, pest pressure, and an aging grower base.
Marketing remains a core challenge. Premium U.S. No. 1 roots capture the best prices, while canners and jumbos bring lower returns. This year, Mississippi growers faced higher shares of small roots, tightening margins.
Export growth offers a bright spot: shipments rose from 3 percent of total use in 2000 to 21 percent by 2022, with Canada, the U.K., and the Netherlands leading demand.
Looking ahead, producers remain focused on quality grades, marketing opportunities, and input cost management, which continue to shape the crop’s profitability.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Strong demand supports sweet potatoes, but grading challenges and rising costs weigh on returns for Southeastern growers.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
Cattle markets are watching the Cattle-on-Feed Report for signs of tighter supplies, while USMEF warns limited China access is cutting producer profits.
December 19, 2025 01:05 PM
·
Weather-driven transportation disruptions can tighten logistics, affect basis levels, and delay grain movement during winter months.
December 19, 2025 12:55 PM
·
USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg outlines the Farm Bridge Assistance Program and responds to calls from lawmakers and ag leaders for more assistance and expanded trade opportunities for farmers.
December 19, 2025 12:46 PM
·
Callahan is no stranger to agricultural trade and has been with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office since 2016.
December 19, 2025 11:53 AM
·
Record ethanol production, coupled with stronger demand, supports corn use despite tighter margins elsewhere.
December 18, 2025 02:32 PM
·
December 17, 2025 11:12 AM
A new maritime biofuels coalition aims to position ocean shipping as a significant growth market for U.S. crops and waste-derived fuels.
December 17, 2025 07:00 AM
·
Larger operations maintain cost advantages, while softer equipment sales suggest producers are pacing machinery upgrades amid tighter margins.
December 17, 2025 06:00 AM
·
Transportation access, legal disputes, and fertilizer freight costs will directly influence input pricing and grain movement in 2026.
December 16, 2025 01:37 PM
·
