Washington State Potatoes and the Economy
Feeding the world
Abundant and nutritious, Washington state potatoes feed millions of people around the globe. Cultivating the most productive potato fields in the world, Washington growers take advantage of ideal soil and weather conditions to produce 20 percent of the U.S. potato crop.
Washington's 165,000 acres of potatoes are located in three growing regions: the Skagit Valley, Yakima Valley and the Columbia Basin. Growers ship their crops to markets nationwide by truck and rail, and around the world through Washington's world-class deep-water ports.
And Washington's economy
Washington State ranks second in the nation in potato production, and potatoes alternate with wheat as Washington's second largest agricultural crop. Thousands of jobs in Washington rely on potato planting, harvesting, packing, processing and transportation. Economists estimate the annual economic impact of Washington potato production, packing and processing at approximately $3 billion, making potatoes one of the most important value-added agricultural commodities in the state.
Adding value
The high quality of Washington potatoes make them popular with both consumers and food processors. Exceptionally high in solids, our potatoes are ideal for processing into French fries, hash browns, dehydrated products and potato chips. Washington-based processors turn nearly 90 percent of the annual Washington potato yield into these value-added products, increasing the value of the crop nearly six-fold.
Creating jobs
Potato processors also help stabilize the economic base of our agricultural and rural communities, supplying year-round employment for thousands of Washington state residents. Every person employed in the potato processing industry generates employment for an additional 2.3 people. In addition, Washington-based fresh packing operators employ hundreds of people and market more than a half-million tons of fresh Washington potatoes annually.
Reaping economic benefits from a global market
Washington state growers are fortunate to be able to provide their families and communities with some of the finest potato crops grown anywhere. They are proud to offer this abundant harvest to people around the world, to help support Washington State's economy and to create jobs for Northwest workers.
- Supporting Northwest communities
- Growing the state's economy
- Feeding the world
It's all in a season's work for a Washington state potato farmer.
Washington State Potatoes and the Environment
Nature made this soil perfect for potatoes
As stewards of the world's most productive potato fields, Washington potato farmers know they are cultivating something special. Ideal combinations of sun, water and mineral-rich alluvial soil make perfect conditions for potato farming.
Washington's 300 growers provide fully one fifth of the nation's potato supply. They use progressive land and water management practices to ensure that this land will remain highly productive for years to come.
Cultivating a better environment
Washington State potato farmers are among the leaders in the nation in adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and other sustainable crop management practices that reduce the use of pesticides while maintaining or enhancing productivity.
Washington potato growers rely on a variety of farming practices to keep their farms healthy and their yields high. For example:
- IPM to apply chemicals only when and where necessary
- Reduced tillage practices to conserve water and protect soil
- Disease-resistant potato varieties to reduce reliance on crop protection chemicals
- Up-to-the-minute weather data to schedule chemical and water applications
- Crop and chemical rotation to promote soil health
- Low-pressure sprinkler heads to increase water efficiency and reduce erosion
- Winter cover crops to protect topsoil and provide food for wildlife
Economically strong – environmentally sound
What does it all mean for the environment? It means cleaner groundwater and less runoff to streams and rivers. It means healthier soil for farming and improved habitat for wildlife. It also means that Washington will continue to produce world class potatoes for years to come.
Washington potato growers understand that they are stewards of precious resources – the rich soils and clean waters of the Pacific Northwest. And they understand what it takes to protect and preserve those resources. They are passing along this strong tradition of stewardship to future generations.
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