Dunn, North Carolina – Consumer demand in the USA for sweet potatoes has risen by 40% since 2008. With exports rising exponentially during the same period, North Carolina, as the leading state in sweet potato production, has increased its volume to meet the demand.
“North Carolina’s growers and shippers have invested heavily in producing & marketing a quality product not just seasonally but every day throughout the year.” says Jose Calderon, President of NCSPMC. “When the sales “push” of NC’s shippers is combined with the “pull” created by the diverse marketing efforts of the NC Sweet Potato Commission in retail, foodservice and processing both at home and abroad; the effect is an ever increasing demand.”
As consumption of sweet potatoes keeps rising, North Carolina’s production also increases. The drastic drop in planted acreage for the 2013 crop was solely weather related and resulted in short supplies prior to the 2014 harvest. However, “Returning to normal quantities in 2014 has resulted in a 41% increase in shipments thus far and means more consistent pricing throughout the year”, states Thomas Chancy,
Secretary of NCSPMC. “The feast or famine effect of erratic supplies will dissipate”.
North Carolina growers and related businesses remain committed to producing not only an expanding supply of nutrientrich sweet potatoes; but continually meeting the demands of today’s savvy customers across the globe.
Source: NC Sweet Potato Marketing Coop (NCSPMC)
