Obama-Calderon meeting disappoints potato growers

Farm and Ranch May 28, 2010 U. S. potato growers had their hopes up when Mexican President Calderon visited the United States recently. Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission, says the trucking dispute with Mexico that’s resulted in 20 percent retaliatory tariffs on U.S. French fry exports to Mexico was on the agenda of the Obama-Calderon meeting.

Voigt: “So we anticipated….very frustrating.” 15

So the damage to the potato industry goes on.

Voigt: “The impact……….it fixed.” 27

Based on U.S. government trade statistics that 50% decline in exports of frozen potato products to Mexico represents a loss of 30 million dollars.

So what now?

Voigt: “We’ll ……going again.” 12

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net.