Reverse Table-Stock Trade Mission generates importer interest

Farm and Ranch Report November 30, 2011 If seeing is believing then that is what some U.S. importers and potential buyers of U.S. table-stock potatoes had the opportunity to experience last month.

Sara Mahler, an international marketing manager for the U.S. Potato Board, says a reverse table-stock trade mission was held and it made a stop in Idaho.

Mahler: “While we were in Idaho the group had the chance to see harvest packing facilities and storages. Then being able to see the actual growing area and meet with growers provides them with some confidence with U.S. potato quality and allows them to see the different varieties we are growing in the United States.”

The interaction among the mission participants can also be important.

Mahler: “We had visitors from markets that are currently importing U.

S. table-stock potatoes and those were Taiwan and Mexico and it gives them a chance to discuss their experiences with importers from markets that are not currently importing U.S. table-stock potatoes from Vietnam and Indonesia.”

The effectiveness of reverse trade missions are measured by what happens to potato imports in the countries involved.

Mahler: “It usually takes a little bit of time to see results from a reverse trade mission but we are already seeing some importers in Vietnam that are really interested in bringing in U.S. table-stock potatoes which would be the first commercial shipment.”

And new demand for U.S. fresh potatoes.

That’s the U.S. Potato Update. Brought to you by the United States Potato Board, maximizing return on grower investment. I’m Bob Hoff for Northwest Aginfo Net.