And the data say....potatoes are back

Farm and Ranch Report March 30, 2011 Potatoes are back. That was the news at the recent annual meeting of the U.S. Potato Board held in Colorado Springs.

Todd Micheal of Urbana, Ohio, who was elected chairman of the Potato Board at that meeting, says one part of the good news is the improved consumer attitude about potato nutrition. As recently as 2004 about 34 percent of consumers had a negative attitude towards potatoes due to the low-carb diet. That fell to 24 percent in 2010 and Micheal says it has dropped to only 18 percent this year.

Micheal: “That 18% is level, about where it was prior to the Atkins. So, they are definitely feeling better about eating potatoes.”

Growers at the annual meeting also learned that per capita potato consumption in the U.S. is up, from 67 annual eatings in 2009 to 74 eatings in 2010.

Micheal: “I mean that is really big when you multiply it by the millions of consumers in this country the pounds of potatoes that it equates to.”

Chairman Micheal says that’s the first time in the nearly 40-year history of the Potato Board there has been an uptick in demand.

Micheal: “So I think that’s really good news for all of us growers that our programs are finally honed in on some key things that are making a difference in attitudes.”

The good news doesn’t end at the U.S. borders either, as U.S. potato exports have exceeded one billion dollars for three years running.

That’s the U.S. Potato Update. Brought to you by the United States Potato Board, maximizing return on grower investment. I’m Bob Hoff for Northwest Aginfo Net.