WASHINGTON - An in-depth look at the potato category’s impact on the United States economy has recently been released by the National Potato Council (NPC). While analyzing the role that expanded trade opportunities would have on U.S. GDP and the workforce, the report assessed the economic contribution of U.S. potato and potato product exports.

“Last year, an economic study published by Michigan State University found that the entire supply chain of the U.S. potato industry supported tremendous economic benefits and jobs for our country,” said NPC Chief Executive Officer Kam Quarles. “As we come together for the 2024 NPC Washington Summit, those same economists focused narrowly on U.S. potato exports and identified significant economic returns. Additionally, with access to new or expanded foreign markets, our industry could create even more economic benefits and jobs. Based on this information, this week we are taking the message to policymakers that increased foreign market access for U.S. potatoes will help fight back against a growing ag trade deficit and generate positive benefits for the economy.”

Authored by economists at Michigan State University, “The Current and Potential Impact of Expanded Potato Exports” reported the following:

• Current exports of U.S. potatoes and potato products generate around $4.78 billion in economic activity and support nearly 34,000 domestic jobs
• Moderate and achievable expansions in foreign market access would generate an additional $1 billion in economic activity and support 5,600 more U.S. jobs

As NPC stated in a recent release, access to foreign markets is a major economic engine for the U.S. potato sector, with approximately 20 percent of all U.S.-grown potatoes exported.

“Potatoes are not only America’s favorite vegetable, they hold the key to unlocking further job growth and economic benefits through a sustained focus on international markets,” said Bob Mattive, a potato grower from Colorado and NPC’s incoming President. “Whenever growers and our allied industry partners talk to Members of Congress or any elected leader, we need to remind them that increased U.S. potato exports will help drive America’s economic prosperity.”

The report and its highlights can be found here.

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