Offshore demand for U.S. potatoes continues to trend upward, marketers say. “Our export markets are trending very positive this year with demand for Idaho growing,” said Ross Johnson, international marketing director with the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission.
“We shipped our first loads to South Korea this year and the reception has been very encouraging for future shipments.”
Idaho tends to export russet potatoes to its “newer markets,” but as the market matures, “we introduce consumers to new varieties to show the diversity of products Idaho has to offer,” Johnson said.
Denver-based Potatoes USA also noted that U.S. potato exports were rising.
“We are seeing continuing increases in fresh potato exports, though it is a little difficult to get precise numbers because the export figures for fresh potatoes contain chip-stock, other processing potatoes, as well as table-stock,” said John Toaspern, chief marketing officer for Potatoes USA.
Mexico continues to be an excellent market for table-stock despite the limitations to the 26-kilometer border zone, Toaspern said.
