U.S. potato exports reached record value and volume in the 12-month period from July 2022 – June 2023. Export values increased 19.05% to $2.2 billion, and export volume increased 3.85% to 3.3 million metric tons (fresh weight equivalent), according to a report issued by Potatoes USA this week.
U.S. potato export values increased across all categories (frozen, fresh, dehydrated, seed, and chips), with double-digit rises in all but seed potatoes. The increase in export volume was led by dehydrated potatoes and chips, which rose by 25.63% and 11.19%, respectively. Overall, approximately 20% of U.S. potatoes are exported.
Mexico Emerges as Top U.S. Potato Export Market
In the period July 2022 – June 2023, Mexico became the United States’ largest potato export market for the first time, followed by Canada and Japan. The entire Mexican market opened to U.S. fresh potato exports in May 2022.
U.S. Frozen Potato Exports Value Rises Despite Volume Dip
The value of U.S. frozen potato exports rose by 20.43%, reaching $1.4 billion despite a 4.54% decrease in volume compared to the previous 12 months. For U.S. frozen potatoes, the top export markets were Japan, Mexico, and South Korea. Frozen export values increased in all three countries, with a significant 25.93% growth in export volume to Japan.
Dehydrated Potatoes Lead U.S. Export Volume Surge
The value of exported dehydrated potatoes increased by 24.00% to reach $257 million, and volume increased by 25.63% to reach 965,523 metric tons. The top destinations for U.S. dehydrated potatoes were Canada, Japan, and Mexico, and exports increased in value and volume for each of these countries.
U.S. Fresh and Seed Potato Exports See Mixed Results
The value of fresh potato sales rose 15.57% from the previous 12 months to $310.4 million, though the volume of U.S. fresh potato shipments decreased slightly by 3.07%. Canada, Mexico, and Japan were the top export markets for U.S. fresh potatoes, with both value and volume increasing to Mexico.
Although representing smaller portions of U.S. potato exports, potato chips increased in value by 11.34% and in volume by 11.19%. Seed potato exports also increased in value by 3.68%, though volume decreased by 5.82%. The export value of U.S. potato chips and seed potatoes amounted to $219.0 million and $15.1 million, respectively.
Source: Potatoes USA
