By Andi Anderson
Michigan's potato crop is expected to increase by 3% this year to 19.5 million hundredweight (cwt), according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This increase is due to an increase in planted acres, from 46,000 acres in 2022 to 48,000 acres in 2023.
Despite the increase in planted acres, average yield is projected to fall by 5 cwt per acre compared to last year. This is due to a combination of factors, including weather conditions and pest pressure.
Nationally, production of potatoes for the 2023 crop year is forecast at 434 million cwt, up 9% from last year. This increase is due to a combination of factors, including an increase in planted acreage and an increase in yield.
The potato industry contributes about $1.24 billion to Michigan's economy, including more than 3,000 jobs in potato production and processing. Michigan is the largest producer of potatoes for potato chips production in the country.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-npantos
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables