In a presentation at the 2023 Potato Business Summit earlier this year, Bret Nedrow, Director of Global Raw Procurement for J.R. Simplot Company, spoke about the dynamics of the frozen potato market in North America. He claimed that, despite the global challenges posed by the pandemic, the North American frozen potato market has demonstrated an impressive resilience. The United States, in particular, has been a driving force, accounting for a significant portion of the total market volume. This resilience is further underscored by the fact that the demand for frozen potatoes, especially fries, has remained robust even in the face of global disruptions.
Nedrow’s presentation highlighted the geographical distribution of potato processing across North America. Key regions, including the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and East Coast, have emerged as the primary hubs for processing. Industry giants such as Lamb Weston, J.R. Simplot, McCain, and Cavendish have strategically positioned their factories in these regions, ensuring a steady supply chain and efficient distribution.
In the retail landscape, potato chips have emerged as the top seller, closely followed by fresh potatoes and frozen fries. An interesting shift in consumer behavior has been observed, with a growing preference for smaller pack sizes of fresh potatoes, especially those weighing under two pounds.
Source: potatonewstoday.com
