Though Interior Alaska has a relatively short growing season, the fact that we experience long hours of sunlight from May to August creates the opportunity to grow a wide variety of vegetables and animal feed crops.
Recently, markets have opened in the Far East for Alaska’s seed potatoes, which are found to be relatively disease-free, unlike most (seed) potatoes raised at lower latitudes. This provides an excellent opportunity for Alaska growers. With the market potential for Alaska premium seed potatoes exceeding $50 million per year (the world seed potato market is over $5 billion), this product is both encouraged and supported.
Other products grown, with significant commercial value, are beef, pork, and animal feed crops. Also of note is the local greenhouse industry, which has experienced significant recent growth in response to spring-time demand for seedlings from garden growers.