Idaho, alongside federal representatives, engaged in discussions with Japanese officials in Idaho Falls, focusing on the export of fresh potatoes from the Gem State. Despite ongoing efforts to penetrate the Japanese market with fresh Idaho potatoes, Japan has yet to grant access, a situation persisting for nearly three decades despite the U.S.'s successful export of frozen potatoes to Japan since 2006.
The meetings, termed Plant Health Bilateral Meetings, aim to enhance agricultural trade between the U.S. and other nations. The potential market opening in Japan could yield an estimated annual revenue of $150 million to $200 million for the U.S., with Idaho, as the leading potato producer in the U.S., standing to significantly benefit. The state's potato industry generates over $1.3 billion in revenue from an annual harvest covering approximately 310,000 acres.
A critical step in the export process involves a pest risk assessment, which Japan has agreed to conduct on Idaho potatoes for several years but has yet to complete. Officials suggest Japan's protective stance towards its domestic potato industry as a reason for the delay. Idaho Governor Brad Little expressed both pride in Japan as a trading partner and hope for progress regarding fresh potato exports in a letter to the Japanese government.
Efforts to advocate for the acceptance of fresh U.S. potatoes in Japan have intensified over the past year, including a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden from 37 members of Congress, urging support for fresh potato access in Japan. The National Potato Council continues to push for market access, emphasizing the lack of phytosanitary justification for Japan's delay, given the U.S. potato industry's successful export history to various markets.
In November, Idaho officials, including Governor Little, will visit Japan and Taiwan on a trade mission, continuing efforts to open the Japanese market to fresh U.S. potatoes.
Source: Idaho Capital Sun