ARS | Publication request: Potato production in the United States

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: October 12, 2010
Publication Date: June 27, 2011
Citation: Jansky, S.H., Bethke, P.C., Halterman, D.A. 2011. Potato production in the United States. In: Coltura & Coltura, editors. The Potato. Milan, Italy:BayerCropScience. p. 760-769.

Technical Abstract: Potatoes have been a staple in the American diet for almost 250 years. The United States is the world's fifth biggest producer, behind China, India, the Russian Federation, and the Ukraine. Potatoes in the United States are grown in nearly every state. Idaho produces approximately 1/3 of all potatoes. The top three potato producing states are Idaho, Washington, and Wisconsin. In 2006, Americans consumed about 56 kg of potatoes annually, of which 19 kg were fresh. The past four decades have seen a decline in fresh market consumption and a corresponding increase in processed potatoes. Yield per unit land area has increased steadily over the past six decades due to improvements in cultural practices, a shift in production to the western United States with a long growing season, and the introduction of improved cultivars. However, overproduction in recent decades has led growers to reduce the production area of potatoes. Major disease and pest problems in the Unites States include Verticillium wilt, early blight, common scab, potato virus Y, and Colorado potato beetle.