Mississippi sweet potato yields are down about 20%–30% from last year, with roughly 70% of the crop harvested by mid-October 2025 but poorer results than the prior bumper season. Extended dry spells — in some areas more than 70 days without rain — and limited irrigation (only 10%–15% of acreage) produced smaller tubers and lower revenue for growers. Harvesting ran about 10 days late as farmers waited for rain, intensifying financial pressure. Experts urge investments in resilient farming practices, water conservation and broader climate solutions.
Mississippi Sweet Potato Yields Fall 20–30% After Severe Drought — Farmers Warn Of Tight Supply And Financial Strain
Mississippi sweet potato producers are sounding the alarm after this year’s harvest came in roughly 20%–30% below last season’s yields, squeezing farm incomes and pushing supplies tighter at grocery stores.
By mid-October 2025, about 70% of the state's sweet potato acreage had been harvested, but growers say the crop is far from last year’s bumper results. Lorin Harvey, a specialist with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service, told Farm Progress the state is "nowhere near last year's bumper crop" and that "this year will end up being below average."
What Went Wrong
Farmers point to a combination of late planting and prolonged dry spells. Some parts of Mississippi endured more than 70 days without measurable rain, and only about 10%–15% of the state’s sweet potato acreage is irrigated — leaving most fields vulnerable to drought stress.
At the MSU weather station in Houston, Mississippi, gauges recorded just 6.5 inches of rainfall from late June onward, compared with a typical 15 inches for that period. The moisture shortfall produced not only lower overall yields but also unusually small tubers; because sweet potatoes are sold by weight, smaller roots translate directly into reduced revenue for producers.
Harvesting also lagged: digging ran roughly 10 days behind schedule as growers delayed harvests in hopes of late-season rain. That delay, combined with smaller tubers and lower yields, has intensified financial pressure from lenders and input costs.
"Just like any farmers out there, they're feeling the pressure from the banks, the crops and the low prices. Some growers are throwing Hail Marys hoping to live to fight another year," said Caleb Englert, president of the Mississippi and U.S. Sweet Potato Councils.
Broader Impacts And Responses
Sweet potatoes are both a household staple and a key crop for many Mississippi farms, so production declines can ripple through the food supply chain: smaller tubers, tighter availability and potentially higher retail prices — a particular concern for families already managing tight grocery budgets.
Producers and policymakers point to broader climate trends that increase weather volatility and extreme events. Similar disruptions — from weather-damaged barley in the U.K. to storm losses in India — illustrate the global nature of the risk to crop reliability.
Responses include direct government and industry support, investments in smarter crop-planning technologies, breeding for more resilient varieties, regenerative farming practices, water-conservation measures and expanded crop-insurance programs. On the consumer side, reducing food waste, shopping strategically and growing some produce at home can help, but experts stress that addressing human-driven climate change is the long-term solution to protecting harvests.
What Farmers And Consumers Can Do
- Farmers: Consider irrigation investments where feasible, adopt drought-tolerant varieties and use regenerative practices to improve soil moisture retention.
- Policymakers: Expand risk-management tools such as crop insurance and fund research into resilient crop varieties and water-saving technologies.
- Consumers: Expect tighter supplies and smaller tubers this season; reduce food waste and consider growing a portion of your own produce if possible.
While short-term relief measures can ease the immediate crunch, stakeholders say long-term resilience will require coordinated investment across research, infrastructure and climate policy to protect both farm livelihoods and food supplies.
