US potato acreage declines more than expected

The potato acreage in the United States is declining faster than previously thought, according to figures from the USDA. It concerns a decrease of 3.2%. In eight states, potato cultivation is declining this year. In no state are more potatoes being grown. The situation in the US is not comparable with Europe, but this country also had a good potato yield last year. The acreage there has shown a decline for the third year in a row and is setting a record low. That much was already clear this spring. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, that decline is nonetheless slightly larger, as appears from the first estimate for season 2026/27. Acreage sharply lower In total, American potato growers planted 11,736 hectares less this year. This brings the total acreage to 353,298 hectares and that is a record low. Compared with the five-year average, this means 24,000 hectares fewer potatoes in the US. In Idaho, growers cut the most in potato acreage. There, 6,070 hectares have been lost. A decrease of almost 5%. At 121,400 hectares, it remains by far the most important potato state in the country. Since 2010, the acreage has been this small only once before. This has everything to do with fewer potatoes grown for flakes and granules and table potatoes. Processing potatoes have actually been planted slightly more as a result of more contracted hectares by French fry producers. It is very dry and hot in the state, with the mercury regularly reaching 35 degrees. Wildfires have also broken out. Locally, there was talk of hail damage to crops. In eastern Idaho, the potato crops were delayed slightly by frost this spring. For Washington, the number two in terms of potatoes, the USDA leaves the acreage unchanged. In number three, North Dakota, it is down 4.3%. Good for 1,214 hectares. In Wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan and Nebraska, 800 hectares per state were planted less. More processing potatoes The fact that the potato acreage is the smallest since 1952 is an important factor, but ultimately the yield per hectare determines the harvest. Based on an average yield, the total harvest this year will be 2.3% smaller than last year. Perhaps surprisingly, especially from a European perspective, slightly more processing potatoes have been planted across the board. Some factories have slightly reduced their contract position, but this has been made up by other companies. Potato processors are benefiting from good domestic demand, which was very good especially in the months of April and May. US exports of fries were more than 10% below the same period in the previous twelve months over the twelve months to May. Exports of dried potato products were 14% lower over the same period. In addition, factories still have very large stocks. This has resulted in a significant cut in contract volumes for this season.