In the 2022 growing season, Louisiana sweet potato farmers were faced with high input and labor costs, as well as adverse weather conditions. It meant that this year brought a range of problems to an industry already struggling with declining acreage and fewer outlets for selling the flavorful orange tubers.

At the annual meeting of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association on December 8, all parties involved reflected on the hurdles they overcame this year and what they might mean for the future.

The 2022 growing season started off with ideal conditions. Then the summer turned hot and dry, hampering crop development. Farmers hoped for rain, but when storm clouds finally rolled in, they dropped as much as 20 inches of rain in a matter of days, flooding fields and rotting potatoes. The damage was worst in northeastern Louisiana.

And unlike farmers who grow soybeans, corn and other crops that have government support programs, sweet potato producers do not have that type of safety net. AgCenter economist Michael Salassi:  “In years where we do have really adverse weather like this past year, we will have a disaster declaration, and so there is a chance to get some federal money to help support producers. But generally, they don’t really have a whole lot of other options than to regroup and hope next year’s a better year.”

At one time, Louisiana had about 20,000 acres of sweet potatoes. The remaining 7,000 acres is concentrated in a handful of parishes: one cluster in northeastern Louisiana and another in the south-central part of the state. Ables expects acreage will continue to decrease, perhaps falling to 6,000 or 6,500 acres next year.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com