The latest Acreage Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), released June 28, shows that potato growers in the United States have reduced their planted area in 2025, reflecting broader contraction trends across major field crops.

According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), total potato acreage for 2025 is estimated at 931,000 acres, down from 950,000 acres in 2024. This marks a 2% decrease year-on-year and underscores shifting dynamics in the U.S. potato sector amid tighter margins and competition for arable land.

The reduction in potato acreage coincides with significant declines in other staple crops such as corn and soybeans. Corn planted area is estimated at 91.5 million acres, down 3% from last year, while soybean acreage dropped 4% to 86.1 million acres.

Regional breakdowns indicate that the largest reductions in potato planting occurred in key producing states such as Idaho and Washington, while some states in the Midwest reported marginal increases. This reflects localized adjustments to market demand and climatic considerations.

The USDA also notes that wet spring conditions in parts of the Northwest delayed fieldwork, further constraining potato planting in regions that supply processors and fresh markets.

This development could have implications for the U.S. potato processing industry, which relies heavily on consistent supply to meet demand for frozen French fries, chips, and dehydrated products. Industry analysts are closely monitoring whether lower planted acreage will translate into tighter supplies and firmer prices in the 2025/26 marketing year.

As the growing season progresses, attention will turn to yield outcomes and weather conditions, which could yet mitigate or exacerbate the acreage reductions.