America’s Potato State
Idaho is the undisputed leader in American potato production, growing roughly one-third of all potatoes harvested in the United States. The state’s volcanic soils, clean mountain water, and ideal day-night temperature swings create growing conditions difficult to replicate anywhere else.
- Production: Approximately 13 billion pounds annually from roughly 300,000 harvested acres.
- Varieties: Russet Burbank (the classic Idaho baker), Ranger Russet, Norkotah, plus specialty reds, yellows, and fingerlings.
- Growing Regions: Upper Snake River Valley (Bingham, Bonneville, Madison counties), Treasure Valley, Magic Valley.
- Processing: Fresh pack, frozen (fries, hash browns), dehydrated (flakes, granules). Major processors: Lamb Weston, J.R. Simplot, McCain Foods.
- Economic Impact: Thousands of jobs across production, storage, processing, and distribution. The Idaho Potato Commission promotes Idaho potatoes nationally.
- Key Challenges: Storage management, late blight and disease pressure, water availability, trade access, and labor.