Abstract
Both the United States and Canada have a long history of potato production, and they both currently rank among the top potato-producing countries in the world. Most of the potatoes produced are consumed within these countries, but there is a large and growing trade in processed, fresh and seed potatoes. While per capita consumption has remained relatively stable over the past 50 years, the type of potatoes purchased by consumers has shifted away from fresh toward processed products (primarily French fries and chips). Production practices, constraints to production, and market focus vary greatly across growing regions from east to west. This chapter outlines the current status of the potato industry in the United States and Canada, highlights common production practices by region, and summarizes current challenges and future prospects.