“It’s a difficult time to be in the sweet potato business and farming in general, due to high input costs,” says Jacy Barnes Clapp with North Carolina-based Farm Pak. “High input costs, particularly related to labor, have resulted in a few farmers to either stop growing sweet potatoes this past year or get out of farming completely,” she shared. Consequently, acreage is down by about 40 percent from the 2021-2022 season and supply of North Carolina-grown sweet potatoes is lower this season. For Farm Pak, sweet potatoes are the company’s main product. “Retailers and consumers can count on us to have consistent acreage and supply. It is similar to what we grew in the past two years.”
While acreage has shown a decrease, consumer demand hasn’t. Farm Pak notices there is an increased interest in specialty varieties, including purple and white sweet potatoes as well as organic sweet potatoes. The combination of lower supply and robust demand has resulted in pricing being strong compared to previous years.
Farm Pak grows sweet potatoes for the domestic market, but exports are also a key component of the company’s business. About 40 percent of total sweet potato production is exported with the main countries of destination being the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Germany, and Spain.
With Europe being a key target market, it’s no surprise Farm Pak will be present at Fruit Logistica Berlin from February 7 through 9. “Please stop by and see us,” said Clapp.
“We will be exhibiting in Hall 23, booth A-06 in the SUSTA Pavilion.”
For more information:
Jacy Barnes Clapp
Farm Pak
Tel: (+1) 252-459-3101
jacy@farmpak.com
www.farmpak.com