Washington is one of the most important potato-producing states in the United States. In 2025, growers harvested 139,500 acres of potatoes and produced 87.188 million cwt, with a production value of $825.67 million. A cwt means 100 pounds, which is the unit used in USDA potato statistics.

The state is especially important for processing. Washington-grown potatoes feed a large frozen potato industry and the state is a major source of French fries for both U.S. foodservice and overseas markets. In 2025, frozen French fries were Washington’s largest food and agricultural export, worth $1.09 billion.

For growers, processors, food companies and trade businesses, the Washington potato industry is therefore about much more than fresh potatoes. Production, storage, processing, transportation and exports are closely connected.

How large is Washington potato production

Washington produced 87.188 million cwt of potatoes in 2025 from 139,500 harvested acres. The average yield was 625 cwt per acre, while the reported value of production was $825.67 million.

Production was lower than in 2024. That year, Washington harvested 159,500 acres and produced 98.89 million cwt, with a production value of about $1.03 billion.

That year-to-year change matters because processors need a steady supply of potatoes that meet specific size, starch, quality and storage requirements. A smaller crop can affect raw potato availability, processor purchasing, storage levels and prices.

Washington also remains a major part of U.S. potato production. USDA Economic Research Service data estimated that Washington accounted for about 21 percent of U.S. potato production in 2025, behind Idaho.

Also read: Best Frozen French Fries Manufacturers in the USA

Where are Washington potatoes grown

Much of Washington’s commercial potato production is concentrated in the Columbia Basin and surrounding irrigated areas in eastern Washington.

The region provides conditions that support large-scale potato farming, including irrigation infrastructure and access to processing and transportation networks. For growers, location matters because potatoes for processing must move efficiently from farms to storage facilities and processing plants.

A typical commercial operation may harvest potatoes, move them into storage and supply a processor over an extended period rather than sending the entire crop directly to a plant during harvest.

That storage link is important. USDA reported that U.S. potato stocks remained significant during the 2024 crop marketing season, showing how storage helps processors maintain supply beyond harvest.

Why processing is so important in Washington

Fresh-market potatoes are only one part of the Washington industry. Processing is a major outlet, particularly for frozen French fries and other prepared potato products.

The Washington State Potato Commission lists frozen fries, wedges, hash browns and other prepared potato products among the state’s processed potato products. Major processors and suppliers listed by the commission include Simplot, Lamb Weston, McCain Foods USA, Oregon Potato Company and Pacific Valley Foods.

How does a potato become a frozen French fry?

The basic process involves washing and cutting the potatoes, blanching them, drying them, partially frying them, freezing them and packaging them. The restaurant or foodservice operator then finishes the cooking process before serving.

This creates a different set of requirements from fresh-market potatoes. Processors need varieties and raw potatoes that perform well during cutting, cooking, freezing, storage and final preparation.

Washington’s potato research system has also played a role in developing varieties suited to processing. Varieties such as Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet, Blazer Russet and Clearwater Russet have been used for French fry production.

Also read: Best Potatoes for French Fries in the USA: A Complete Guide

Washington potato exports

Exports are one of the strongest parts of the Washington potato value chain.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture reported that Washington-grown or processed food and agricultural exports totaled $7.81 billion in 2025. Frozen French fries ranked first among the state’s exports, with a value of $1.09 billion. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan were the leading markets listed for the product.

The state’s agriculture department also reports that up to 70 percent of Washington potatoes are exported in the form of French fries.

This shows why the Washington potato industry is closely tied to international food demand. A potato grown in eastern Washington can become a processed product and reach customers in Asia and other markets.

For exporters and processors, this also means that currency movements, freight costs, trade policies, foodservice demand and conditions in overseas markets can affect the value chain.

Washington potato industry data at a glance

USDA and Washington State Department of Agriculture data provide the basis for these figures.

Also read: Potato Consumption Per Capita by Country

What is shaping the Washington potato industry?

The industry is balancing production needs with processor demand and global market conditions.

One important area is potato variety development. Processors need potatoes that can provide consistent fry color, texture, yield and storage performance. Washington State University and the wider Tri-State potato research program have worked on varieties designed for these requirements.

Processing capacity is also changing. McCain Foods announced a $300 million expansion at its Othello, Washington facility. The project includes a 170,000-square-foot expansion and a new French fry processing line, with the company expecting the project to require about 11,000 additional acres from local growers.

For growers, projects like this can create additional demand for contracted potato acreage. For processors, added capacity can support growth in frozen potato products. For the wider supply chain, it means more demand for storage, transportation, packaging, equipment and agricultural services.

What the Washington potato industry means for U.S. businesses

For foodservice companies, retailers, importers and ingredient buyers, Washington is an important source of processed potato products rather than simply a source of raw potatoes.

The strength of the industry comes from the connection between farms, irrigation, storage, research, processing plants, logistics and export markets. That structure allows potatoes to move from agricultural production into products such as French fries, hash browns, wedges and other prepared foods.

The 2025 numbers also show that production can change from one year to another. Businesses that depend on Washington potatoes therefore need to watch crop size, processor demand, storage reports, export markets and new processing capacity together.

Conclusion

Washington’s potato industry is built around a strong production and processing base. In 2025, the state produced 87.188 million cwt of potatoes from 139,500 harvested acres, while frozen French fries generated $1.09 billion in exports.

The biggest opportunity is not limited to growing more potatoes. It is also tied to processing capacity, variety development, storage, foodservice demand and international markets.

For businesses tracking the U.S. potato sector, Washington remains a state worth watching because changes in its crop and processing industry can affect both domestic supply and global French fry trade.

Also read: Idaho Potatoes vs Russet Potatoes – What’s the Real Difference?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Image credit: Potato Insights
Sources:

• 2025 State Agriculture Overview for Washington — USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington 2025 State Agriculture Overview
• 2024 State Agriculture Overview for Washington — USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington 2024 State Agriculture Overview
• Export Statistics — Washington State Department of Agriculture Washington State Department of Agriculture Export Statistics
• Potatoes — USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Washington Field Office USDA Washington Potato Reports
• Potato Production Outlook — USDA Economic Research Service USDA Economic Research Service Vegetable and Pulses Outlook
• Processed Potatoes Suppliers — Washington State Potato Commission Washington State Potato Commission Processed Potatoes Suppliers
• McCain Foods USA Othello Expansion — McCain Foods McCain Foods Othello Washington Expansion