Potatoes

Potato updates

Favorable crop conditions.

Potato acreage is expected to decline modestly across the Western U.S. in 2026 as growers and processors adjust to softer market conditions.

Idaho's potato acreage is estimated by USDA to be down approximately 15,000 acres from 2025. The decline is largely attributed to fewer dehydrator processing contracts and reduced open-market table potato plantings following weaker prices over the past several years. Growing conditions were favorable through June, but persistent heat during July and early August has raised concerns about potential impacts on crop development.

Across Oregon and Washington, growing conditions have generally been favorable, although localized wildfire activity has affected some production areas. Oregon acreage remains relatively steady, but production is expected to edge lower due to reduced yields. In Washington, acreage is largely unchanged and crop conditions have been near ideal. Early-harvested potatoes are reported to be in excellent condition, with strong yields and large tuber sizes.

The Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission recently highlighted growing international competition as a challenge for U.S. exports. China, in particular, has emerged as a growing competitive threat. In 2015, the country launched its Potato Staple Food Strategy, an initiative designed to elevate potatoes from a regional crop to a key component of the national food system. Since then, China's potato production has expanded significantly, increasing 12.6% according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). As China's production and export capabilities continue to grow, U.S. potato exporters may face increasing competition in key global markets.

The U.S. is the third-largest exporter of potatoes globally, followed by the European Union and Canada. Potato exports are generally categorized into five types: fresh, dehydrated, frozen, seed and chips. By value, frozen potatoes, most commonly in the form of french fries, make up the largest export category. The primary export destinations for U.S. potato products are Mexico, Japan, Canada and South Korea, which together account for 72% of all exports. Despite this, the U.S. imports more potatoes than it exports. This trade imbalance is typical for vegetables, as the U.S. often runs a trade deficit in most vegetable categories. Most imported potato products are sent to areas in the U.S. with limited potato production or consist of raw potatoes from Canada destined for U.S. processing plants.

Potato production, exports and imports

Source: USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. U.S. Census Bureau.

Tariff tracker - Tariff rates applied to U.S. trade partners are consistenly updated to reflect policy changes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tracks duties and tariffs on potato products. For your convenience, the following links will take you to tariff data on prepared, preserved, or frozen potato products (a leading U.S. export for the potato industry) for top markets including Japan and South Korea. Potato products are currently exempt from tariffs with Mexico and Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but please refer to the U.S. Trade Representative website for up-to-date information. WTO also tracks rates for potato imports to the U.S. Please consult with a trade lawyer or professional for detailed and up-to-date insights on tariff rates and their application to potatoes.

For guidance on interpreting duty and tariff rates, please refer to our Tariff Guide.