US: Retail successes boost potato exports to Mexico 24%

For the six months ending in February, exports of fresh-market U.S.-grown potatoes fell overall, but shipments to Mexico were up substantially. Fresh exports fell 3% in volume and 6% in value, thanks to an 11% drop in sales to Canada, according to a news release from Denver-based Potatoes USA. Shipments to Mexico, however, rose 24% during the period. About 67,640 metric tons shipped to Mexico during the period, and the value of spud shipments rose 12% to $27 million. In addition, Potatoes USA’s target exports of Mexico, Asia and Central America, taken together, saw 4% volume grown and 6% value growth during the period. More