U.S. Potatoes Provide Economic Benefits

Lorrie Boyer

Reporter

The Colorado San Luis Valley is a prominent potato-growing region due to the elevation, mountain ranges, and high mountain desert climate, allowing for the reduced risk of pests and fungal pathogens. It serves as home to the National Potato Council President, Bob Mattive’s 1900-acre Potato Farm. Today he provides insights into the importance of the potato industry as a whole.

“Michigan State University has done a couple of studies for us and just looking at what the economic impact is of the potato industry. And so you know, it's providing over 700,000 jobs over $100 billion in economic benefit.”

Mattive says the exports play a significant role in the success of the potato industry with approximately 20% of potatoes heading to either Mexico or overseas markets. This means that about one in every five rows of potatoes is destined for export.

"We came and did another study this year they did another study that how much our export market is contributing and it's as we look at the value of our export markets, that's another $4.7 billion. That is we're contributing to the US economy. So pretty important numbers there in terms of the potato industry itself."

National Potato Council President, Bob Mattive.