|
Click to listen to this article
|
The National Potato Council (NPC) has released a new analysis of the national economic contribution of potatoes. According to the report, “Measuring the Economic Significance of the U.S. Potato Industry,” authored by economists from Michigan State University, the potato supply chain drove $100.9 billion in U.S. economic activity in 2021. This includes $10.8 billion in agriculture production and agribusiness services; $49.1 billion in processing, wholesaling and retail; and $41 billion in food service industries and household consumption. In addition, the report estimates that the U.S. potato sector generated 714,000 domestic jobs and provided wages of $34.1 billion annually to those employed along its supply chain.
The U.S. is the world’s fifth largest producer of potatoes, with approximately 20 percent of all potatoes grown or processed in the U.S. exported to Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and other trading partners. In 2021, the value of all potato-related exports (fresh, processed and dehydrated) topped $1.88 billion in sales.
For more highlights and a link to download the full report, visit www.nationalpotatocouncil.org/spudnation.
