Who buys the most potatoes in the US?

The processing industry buys the most potatoes in the US, accounting for approximately 65% of all US potato production according to the UNFAOSTAT data and 66% according to the USDA utilization reports.

The major processing companies purchasing the most US potatoes are Lamb Weston, McCain Foods, Simplot, and Frito-Lay. These companies dominate frozen french fry production, dehydrated potato products, and potato chips respectively. According to industry data, the processing sector represents about two-thirds of US potato utilization, making it by far the largest single market for American potato growers.

This processing dominance is particularly evident in major producing states like Idaho, where approximately 90% of the potato crop flows to processing facilities for frozen fries, dehydrated potatoes, and food service products. The Pacific Northwest states (Idaho, Washington, Oregon) that produce 63% of US potatoes are especially oriented toward processing markets rather than fresh consumption.

The US has developed the most advanced potato processing industry globally, with companies like McCain Foods being the world's largest frozen potato manufacturer and Lamb Weston ranking as the second-largest processor globally with ~$6.5 billion in revenue. For the chips segment, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division leads as the global market leader under the Lay's brand.