Sale of record Aroostook potato harvest hindered by trucking shortage

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 13, 2021

Aroostook County may have pulled a record potato harvest out of the ground this year, but transportation slowdowns and a driver shortage are making it difficult to get the crop to market. Perfect weather during the growing season boosted yield by about 20 percent for The County’s staple crop. Some farmers simply ran out of room, so the Loring Development Authority offered former military buildings for potato storage. With the surprisingly bountiful harvest, the supply is there to meet demand from french fry makers and grocery shoppers, and the potatoes are holding up well. But supply chain delays, fuel costs and lack of transportation workers could mean growers will get less money for their product.