The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission (NCSPC) has reported 2023-2024 acreage changes for the year, which may include a 25-30% reduction in acreage, with the total impact unconfirmed until harvest is complete.
These fluctuations come as a result of weather conditions, global markets, post-pandemic uncertainty to the food industry and the rising operational costs and labour challenges.
Shifts in sweetpotato production are not uncommon, and with harvest season approaching, the commission is reassuring food sector stakeholders that while the landscape is changing, its commitment to growing and farming the highest quality sweetpotatoes remains unparalleled.
Despite the proposed reduction, North Carolina remains the largest producer of sweetpotatoes in the United States of America, producing over 60% of the total sweetpotatoes grown in the U.S. The Southern state has held the leadership position since 1971 and is confident that the changes in land area will not impact its standing.
The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission’s Executive Director, Michelle L. Grainger, said: “2023 is shaping up to be a difficult year for North Carolina sweetpotato growers and hard decisions are being made to stabilise our industry.
Grainger continued, “Some producers are taking a break, others are reducing acreage, and some have opted out of the industry entirely. We never want to see these kinds of changes, but we recognise it’s a new world and it is necessary to adapt and look at every aspect of our production process and build economically sustainable systems in farming, marketing and sales partnerships that allow everyone to reap the rewards of this healthy and nutritious root.”
Acreage reductions are the result of continued and unrelenting increases in operational costs that have outpaced the market price. North Carolina producers hoped to wait out the change but have had to accept that the pricing difference is too great and the timeline too long to continue to operate at the same levels. They have had to make the tough decision to adjust the acreage allowing them to manage margins and continue to deliver the highest quality sweetpotatoes in the market, including the highly prized Covington variety.
While it is inevitable that the total volume will be impacted due to acreage changes, the export volumes will remain. Buyers are being reminded to work with their grower-shippers to establish contracts and promotional programs early in the season, to ensure customer and retail satisfaction. Getting these conversations underway now will also contribute to facilitating and guaranteeing high quality North Carolina sweetpotatoes year-round.
NCSPC will also be working closely with buyers to establish promotional programs that support strong sales and pricing initiatives that drive consumer value and preserve profitability for producers and buyers.
The NCSPC and the North Carolina sweetpotato growers and shippers are continuing to support education and consumption efforts throughout Europe and in global markets, regardless of acreage changes. Educating consumers on the value of sweetpotatoes as a nutritionally dense root vegetable with excellent shelf-life and culinary versatility remains a priority.
Brent Leggett, President of the NCSPC Board of Directors and owner of Leggett Farming Partnership, said: “While our supply may be reduced, our promotional efforts will not slow down. We are proud of the high quality sweetpotatoes we produce and stand behind the quality of our products and production practices that have made us the industry leader.
Although this acreage reduction will deliver a blow to our sweetpotato industry and North Carolina agricultural economy, we are committed to developing better relationships and continued transparency in our supply chain so everyone can win.”
Grainger added: “Sweetpotatoes have long been known as a great value, hardy and versatile starch perfect for any occasion, which makes it a great buy during times of high inflation.
“This has been great for consumers, but bad for producers who can no longer operate business as usual. I’m confident that together, buyers and growers can find a solution that makes sweetpotatoes a great value for everyone in the supply chain.
The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission is committed to supporting its growers and increasing sweetpotato consumption through education, promotional activities, research, and honorable horticultural practices among its producers, helping to preserve this much-loved and established industry within North Carolina.
For more information visit https://ncsweetpotatoes.com and follow North Carolina Sweetpotatoes’ social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more sweetpotato inspiration.
