The U.S. potato industry is pushing for economic relief and expanded market access as growers face rising costs and ongoing uncertainty. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said agriculture broadly is under pressure, with conditions some compare to the 1980s farm crisis. “The vast, vast, vast majority of U.S. agriculture is in a very difficult spot,” Quarles said. “I think we can do things here at the federal level that can soften the blows on some of these producers, offer them a kind of lifeline to get to hopefully better economic times. We really want to keep these family farms in business.” Quarles emphasized the need for a meaningful economic relief package that includes specialty crops like potatoes, warning that both sides of agriculture must be supported. He also pointed to trade opportunities, especially Japan, saying opening that market could mean a $150 million boost in U.S. potato exports. At the same time, he highlighted rising input costs tied to global tensions. “I had one producer two days after hostilities broke out say his fertilizer quote just went up 30 percent overnight,” Quarles said. “It is a very difficult time.”
