Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1521152
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 M AY 2 7 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S LO C A L LY G R O W N Mainebiz seeks to honor the young professional and rising stars of Maine's business community for our third 40 Under 40 Awards. NOMINATE BY 7/22! MAINEBIZ .BIZ/NOMINATIONS Nominate an outstanding young Maine leader today! S PONS OR ED BY S O U R C E : Maine Potato Board, UMaine S O U R C E : Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine MAINE POTATO PRODUCTION AN APPLE A DAY S O U R C E : Maine Pomological Society SWEET TOOTH S O U R C E : Maine Maple Producers Association THE WILDS OF MAINE Maine's agriculture production may be best known for potatoes, but a host of other goods also end up on grocery shelves — including wild blueberries, apples and maple syrup. Here's a bit of an overview of some products. Maine ranks No. 6 nationally for acres of potatoes planted and harvested in 2022. Maine ranks No. 9 nationally for the value of potato sales in 2022. In 2022, the Maine potato industry had a total economic contribution of an estimated $1.3 billion in output, 6,571 full and part-time jobs, and $237 million in labor income. MAINE POTATO INDUSTRY'S SUPPLY CHAIN potato production & agribusiness services potato processing & wholesale retail & food services 31% 58% 11% There are 8,000 varieties of apples, but only 100 varieties grown in Maine. Most farms in Maine grow 20 to 30 varieties. McIntosh is most common in New England. It takes 36 apples to make one gallon of apple cider. Certain maple trees can produce up to 60 gallons of sap per year. Maine produces 575,000 gallons of maple syrup a year, for a value of $55.6 million. Maine has 450 licensed producers. Maine has 39,400 acres of wild blueberry land, managed and harvested by 485 farms. Only 5% to 10% of the U.S. blueberry market is Maine wild blueberries. Up to 99% of Maine wild blueberries are "quick frozen" and sold in supermarkets. 99% 5–10%