Potatoes

Acres harvested in Washington: 170,000 acres in 1999

Number of growers: 415 in 1997

Percent of U.S. production: 22% in 1999

Rank in U.S. production: #2 in 1999

Value per harvested acre: $2,800 in 1999

Value of production in Washington: $476 million in 1999

Potatoes were the highest ranking crop in vegetable production in Washington in 1999 based on value of production, which was $476 million. Washington had the highest yield of potatoes per acre in the nation in 1999, as well as the second highest acreage and production. Over 170,000 acres were harvested in 1999. Washington produced 22% of the nation’s potatoes in 1999. Production was 95.2 million cwt.

The bulk of vegetable and vegetable products exported from Washington are frozen potato products: fries, curly fries, hash browns, etc. Approximately 90% of the state’s potatoes are processed. Washington accounts for about one-third of U.S. potato exports. Potato acreage in the state has grown substantially since 1990, from 132,000 to 170,000 acres. The major impetus has been the continued growth in demand for french fried potatoes.

The Washington State Potato Commission offers information and recipes on the web at http://www.potatoes.com/.

Washington State University publications on potatoes can be found at