US: Japan loves fresh potatoes, but can Washington state growers deliver the spuds?

Published May 24, 2023

Tridge summary

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and most of the Washington congressional delegation have urged the Biden Administration to include fresh potatoes in a proposed bilateral trade deal with Japan. Despite Japan's import of $220 million worth of frozen and processed potatoes, the market for fresh spuds remains closed. U.S. Growers believe fresh potato exports could be as valuable as the Mexican market, which is targeting $150 million. The potato industry is advocating for this market as a long-term strategy and due to Japan's aging farmers. The Washington potato industry, especially, could benefit from this new market, given its geographical location and shipping ports at Seattle and Tacoma. The 2023 growing season is off to a slow start due to cool, rainy weather.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., led a letter signed by most of the Washington congressional delegation and addressed to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, urging the Biden Administration to prioritize fresh potatoes as it prepares to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Japan later this year. Japan imports an estimated $220 million worth of frozen and processed potatoes, but the market largely closed to fresh spuds despite their popularity in the Japanese diet. Japanese farmers cultivate potatoes as well. U.S. Growers believe exporting fresh potatoes to Japan could be equal in value to Mexico, which opened the area beyond the border zone to fresh U.S. potatoes last year and has a target value of $150 million. potato shortage U.S.-grown potatoes were in short supply in 2022, thanks to lower yields and high prices. There isn't enough to meet current demand and adding acreage is complicated by water concerns and crop rotation requirements unique to potatoes. That begs the ...

Source: Argenpapa