High temperatures shrink potato sizes in Washington

Washington's hot summer has shrunk the size of potatoes, which could make long fries and large baked potatoes less plentiful this season.

But while the size of this year's spuds is expected to be smaller than last year's, quality is good and the prices farmers will receive for fresh market potatoes are better.

The next three weeks mark peak harvest times for Washington potato farmers, said Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission.

The supply of potatoes nationwide during the first few weeks of August had dwindled significantly, so Washington fresh potato farmers were digging and shipping as fast as they could at the start of this harvest, Voigt said.