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
November 08, 2024 11:25 AM
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