07/04/08 Prospective chip potato buyers visit Washington

Farm and Ranch July 4, 2008 A small business group from Thailand recently visited Washington's potato industry. Matt Harris, Director of Trade for the Washington State Potato Commission, says it was a group of prospective chip potato buyers. Harris: "And they were interested in developing business relationships with growers in the Pacific Northwest and looking at perspective purchases of chip potatoes for the 08 year along with the next marketing year." Harris says the Thais have purchased some chipping potatoes in the past. Harris: "They were restricted by specific government requirements which kept them from buying large volumes of potatoes and those restrictions have lessened to where they can come into the marketplace and look at setting up contracts with businesses to supply their needs, which is a positive for Washington state." Harris says the potato industry would benefit even more if the U.S. and Thailand had a free trade agreement. There were preliminary trade talks that broke down but Harris says that effort could resume in the near future. 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.