Potatoes rank as most valuable crop in Idaho in ’18, third in Washington

Idaho and Washington consistently rank first and second in terms of U.S. potato production. Not surprisingly, potatoes are among those state’s most valuable agricultural commodities as well.

According to data released Oct. 11 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), potatoes were the most valuable crop in Idaho in 2018 and were second most valuable in Washington behind apples in terms of specialty crops. Wheat was the second-most valuable crop overall.

The value of all Idaho-produced agricultural products — including livestock and dairy — was $7.69 billion last year. Potatoes ranked third at $1.028 billion behind milk ($2.378 billion) and cattle and calves ($1.41 billion).

Total potato cop value in Idaho was up 5.4% from the previous year. The increase from 2016 to 2017 was only 0.1%.

Washington

Potatoes ranked fourth among Washington’s agricultural commodities with a value of $788.3 million in 2018. That total was up 14.8% from the previous year, but still below the $813.3 million of 2016.

Apples ($2.19 billion), milk ($1.13 billion) and wheat ($844.6 million) were the top three. Cattle and calves were fifth at $652.1 million.

Washington’s total agriculture value was $9.67 billion in 2018, with crops value — not including livestock and dairy — at $7.16 billion.