Despite drought conditions affecting eastern North Carolina throughout the summer and early fall, this year's sweet potato harvest has delivered good quality. While overall volumes are slightly below average, the company is pleased with the harvest. "The quality of this year's crop is great," says Jacy Barnes Clapp with Farm Pak. "Volume is slightly below average, but this year's crop is still better overall than what we've seen in the past few years."
One area of significant growth for Farm Pak is its Purple Splendor sweet potato program. After initially working with North Carolina State University to trial the variety, the company began commercial production on just three acres in 2022. Since then, acreage has expanded to 47 acres in 2025 and 150 acres in 2026. "Through that process, we saw a lot of potential," Barnes Clapp explains. "It's been exciting to see the growth of this variety and the opportunities it brings for our customers." The expansion has been supported by growing interest from the U.S. market as well as international customers, particularly in the U.K.
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U.K. market leads demand for purple sweet potatoes
The U.K. has emerged as the leading market for Pu...