Earlier this month, a Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) was organized, bringing 53 international food service importers, distributors, and retailers to the Pacific Northwest to embark on a U.S. potato farm-to-fork journey. The delegation hailed from ten key export regions for the potato industry, including Central America, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The RTM aimed to bolster demand for U.S. potatoes by increasing their purchase in international markets. It provided an immersive experience into the production of high-quality U.S. potatoes and potato products, covering aspects from production research, growing and harvesting, to storage, processing, and exporting. The five-day event facilitated networking between potential and current international customers of U.S. potatoes and local suppliers, alongside other stakeholders in the U.S. potato industry. Highlights included tours at the Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center, farm and storage tours, potato processing plant visits, a meeting with the Washington State Potato Commission, and a tour of the Port of Tacoma.
Potatoes USA annually organizes RTMs to promote U.S. potatoes and stimulate sales across all formats of the crop.
Source: Potatoes USA