North Carolina sweetpotato growers expect their 2025 production to be back into the normal range after a challenging weather year in 2024.
The state harvested about 13 million hundredweight (cwt) of sweetpotatoes in 2024, down from 15 million cwt in 2023, according to USDA. However, harvested acreage rose from 76,900 to 86,500.
Nash Produce
Nashville, N.C.-based Nash Produce kicked off its harvest the third week of September, about a month earlier than usual, to try to make up for the shortfall, says Robin Narron, marketing director.
“We had to have some growers plant early and start harvesting early so that we didn’t run out of potatoes,” she says.
Narron says Hurricane Helene and other weather issues brought on the sweetpotato shortage. As of late September, this year’s harvest was progressing well.
“Right now, the quality looks great,” she says. “It’s been pretty dry, and we definitely could use a little rain right now, but aside from that, we’ve had no major weather issues that have impacted the crop this year.”
The company has increased its murasaki sweetpotato acreage in response to rising demand, she says. Covington acreage will remain steady.
Sweetpotato prices have come down this year as availability improves, Narron adds, “but we’re trying to stay strong and get a premium price for our premium product.”
Farm Pak Products
The sweetpotato crop also looks good at Farm Pak Products, Spring Hope, N.C., says Jacy Barnes Clapp, who handles marketing.
Early sweetpotatoes will be a bit smaller than usual, but they should size up as the harvest continues, she says.
Farm Pak Products recently launched a new brand of conventional and organic microwaveable sweetpotatoes — Francie’s Finest — available in 3- and 5-pound bags, Barnes Clapp says.
And the company is in its third year offering the Purple Splendor variety.
Purple Splendor gained popularity with the launch of “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” a Netflix series in which author Dan Buettner discovers five unique communities where people are said to live extraordinarily long, vibrant lives.
“More than 70% of the carbs people consume in the Okinawa Blue Zones come from sweetpotatoes,” Barnes Clapp says.
The company also grows the Covington and murasaki varieties. About 10% of the firm’s sweetpotatoes are organically grown.
Scott Farms
Scott Farms, Lucama, N.C., has focused on getting into fields earlier than usual this year because of the short crop in 2024, says Lindsey Scott Abraham, account manager.
“Our team put in a lot of effort to make sure we were prepared, and that allowed us to get the harvest started ahead of our usual schedule,” she says.
Quality has been good so far.
“The crop has come in with strong color, consistent sizing and smooth skin, which are all great indicators for a successful season,” Scott Abraham says.
Scott Farms ships its handpicked sweetpotatoes year-round.
“We know that sweetpotatoes have become a staple in everyday meals,” she says. “Our goal is to keep a steady supply of high-quality sweetpotatoes moving from our fields to our customers’ tables throughout the entire year.”
Sweetpotatoes and sweetpotato fries are becoming foodservice favorites as well, Scott Abraham says.
“It feels like sweetpotato fries have gone from being a specialty side dish you could only find in certain places to a common option on menus everywhere,” she says.
“I love seeing them as a healthier and tastier alternative to regular fries, and it’s fun to see chefs get creative with seasonings, dips and even using sweet potatoes in other dishes like bowls and tacos,” Scott Abraham adds.
