For the first time in 40 years, this winter, thanks to a strong harvest in the state, and due to heat and dry weather that stymied farmers in renowned potato-growing states like Idaho and Washington, growers from Maine shipped potatoes by rail.
The spuds made their way more than 4,000 kilometers for processing, riding in climate-controlled rail cars, according to Huff Post. About 9,500 tons of potatoes, virtually all from growers in northern Maine, flowed through a rail-connected warehouse owned by LaJoie Growers LLC.
Most of the Maine potatoes went to processors in Washington State, where much of the French fries and other products are exported. The shipments to Idaho were seed potatoes, including Maine’s Caribou Russet, which will be planted this spring.
The extreme heat reduced yields by nearly 10% for potato growers in Idaho and Washington, while Maine potato yields grew more than 30% thanks to good weather, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In northern Maine, the harvest was so big that growers scrambled to find storage. Some buildings at the former Loring Air Force Base were enlisted for a last-minute home for the abundant tubers.
