02/29/08 NW Potato Commissions promote spuds in Central America

Farm and Ranch February 29, 2008 The Potato Commissions of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, together with their respective state departments of agriculture, put on fresh and chip potato seminars in Central America earlier this month. Matt Harris, Director of Trade for the Washington State Potato Commission says he and commissioners Randy Mullen and Jared Balcom were in El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica. Harris says that in El Salvador and Guatemala, U.S. growers have benefited from the Central American Trade Agreement, CAFTA. Harris: "CAFTA, it is basically a fairly new agreement so this trip that we took really set the stage to introduce northwest potatoes to the market. Help make the connection between buyer and seller. We have had some very positive feed back. We have had a lot of interest in our chipping varieties and our fresh varieties. We will hope to build upon this experience and keep relations with potential importers alive so we can build upon our exports to market." Harris says northwest potatoes can supplement the domestic supply. Harris: "When domestic supplies are low and stores need product, whether it is a retail market or a chip manufacturer, we're a great alternative to help those companies meet their sales demand." A federal grant helped fund this market development work. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.