In an upcoming bilateral meeting between the US and Japan, the American potato industry is set to make a significant push for broader market access. The meeting is scheduled from September 25-29. Representatives from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will engage in technical discussions on plant health with their Japanese counterparts.
There is a key role for National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles, who will be present in Japan to advocate for the industry’s long-standing goal: securing market access for all US fresh potatoes in Japan.
While the US has been exporting chipping potatoes to Japan since 2006, the broader market for fresh potatoes, including the lucrative table stock potatoes, remains untapped. If this market is fully opened, it could mean an additional $150 million to $200 million in annual exports for the US potato industry. Japan already stands as the second-largest market for US potatoes.
Source: potatonewstoday.com