The potato is a tuber from the perennial herbaceous plant Solanum tuberosum. It is used globally in diverse culinary applications, with approximately 68% of potatoes produced globally being processed into various food products.
While there are around 5,000 potato varieties worldwide, commercial potatoes are often categorized by their waxiness, with floury/mealy potatoes containing more starch (20-22%) than waxy potatoes (16-18%). Common value-added potato products include potato chips, french fries, potato flakes, and potato flour. Major producers include China, Russia, India, the USA, and Ukraine. Numerous brands offer potato products, including Lay's, Pringles, Kettle Brand, Utz, Herr's, and Simplot. Keystone Potato Products is a regional distributor in Pennsylvania that supplies fresh-cut potatoes, potato flakes, and potato flour. The Mart Group is a family of grower-owned operations delivering sustainably farmed potato products.
Potatoes are processed into frozen potatoes, dehydrated potatoes, fresh table-stock potatoes, fresh chipping potatoes, and seed potatoes. They can also be processed into potato starch, which sees use as a thickener and binding agent in food and in non-food applications like adhesives and fillers. As of February 2026, average potato prices in the United States range from $0.50 to $1.20 per pound for bulk varieties, while specialty potatoes can reach $2.50 per pound. Prices are subject to seasonal fluctuations, typically being lowest in the fall after harvest and highest in late winter/early spring.
