The deal: The value of the state's potato crop hit a record $562 million last year and could beat that record for the just-harvested 2007 crop.
This year and last, the state's potato growers seem to be hitting the marks perfectly in terms of global supply and demand. Not to mention near-perfect growing weather, with lots of sun and ample moisture.
About 88 percent of the state's potato crop is processed, mostly into frozen french fries, home fries and potato nuggets, and 40 percent of that is exported, said Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission in Moses Lake.
In 2006, Washington benefited from a poor potato crop in Europe, which was down at least 20 percent. With the world's appetite for french fries growing despite higher prices, buyers were anxious to get supplies, Voigt said.
