Potato Export Potential Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Members of the potato industry are in Washington D.C. this week advocating for enhanced export market access at the 2024 National Potato Council’s Washington Summit.
NPC CEO Kam Quarles says this year marks the 1 year anniversary of the first economic impact study of U.S. potatoes …
QUARLES … “That study, for the first time, calculated the economic contribution of the entire U.S. potato value chain.”
Quarles says the findings were eye opening …
QUARLES … “It was conducted by economists at Michigan State University, and they determined that the farm gate value of U.S. potato production is more than $10 billion dollars a year. And, as you go up the supply chain it generates billions more in economic activity.”
Not to mention, Quarles says the jobs …
QUARLES … “Ultimately, you’re talking about over 700,000 American jobs that are supported by the activities that begin on America’s family potato farms.”
But Quarles says that was last year …
QUARLES … “Today we’re announcing the results of a new analysis which will serve as a new tool in our toolbox to advocate for our longstanding policy priority which is expanding foreign market access for U.S. potatoes.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on the National Potato Council’s Washington Summit and the results from their most recent study.
To see the entire report, go to www.NationalPotatoCouncil.org/SpudNation
