Global demand for potatoes is spiking prices for Idaho's largest crop export, but supply is having a hard time keeping up.
From July to September, frozen potato exports from the U.S. slid nearly 4%, but their value was up 13% for the same period last year, more than making up the difference, according to Potatoes USA, a research and marketing organization.
Fresh tuber exports saw a similar trend: down 15% in volume, but up 7% in value. Mexico, a major market, brought in 7% more American potatoes and exports to South Korea ballooned by 180%.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says potato production fell by about 3% in the U.S. from 2021, when hot weather hurt yields.
