The National Potato Council is working to capture the coronavirus impact on U.S. potato growers. There is a lack of demand for potatoes in the food service industry. “Our supply chain is backing up and it’s impacting 2019 storage potatoes that are supposed to be going to processing facilities. Those processing facilities are operating at a slower pace and could potentially shut down,” says Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council. “It’s also impacting the 2020 crop being planted.” Quarles confirms the specialty crop industry is asking the USDA for $5 to $6 billion in COVID-19 assistance. This won’t all go to the potato industry. “There is $700 million to $1 billion worth of potato products in a compromised position right now. Potatoes are a $4 billion industry on an annual basis. Sixty percent is in food service,” explains Quarles. “When you shut down food service for one quarter, you can do the math, but those numbers pile up quick. This is something we’ve never faced before.”
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