U.S. Fresh Potatoes to Mexico Pt 2
I’m Bob Larson. U.S. fresh potato producers will be watching closely tomorrow when the Mexico Supreme Court votes on a draft ruling that could open the door for our industry.
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles says Mexico does allow fresh potatoes into a limited area, but that only covers roughly 26 kilometers from the U.S.-Mexico border …
QUARLES … “There’s no scientific reason why that 26-kilometer area exists. It was really a way for, I think, the officials at the time to say, we’re dealing with this very difficult trade issue with the United States, but we’re also protecting our industry from the competition they fear.”
But, Quarles says only a small percentage of Mexico’s population lives in that area …
QUARLES … “Well obviously, we want the ability to be able to sell to the big population centers. So, to be able to ship U.S. potatoes to Mexico City and all the big population centers within the country, I mean, that’s the goal.”
Economically, Quarels says a positive vote on this draft ruling would be huge …
QUARLES … “We think, conservatively, once all of the pieces are put in place to allow us to export, could very easily be, right now it’s about a $225-million dollar a year market. We think it could easily double with fresh access to Mexico.”
Allowing our fresh potatoes into Mexico would be a nice fit with the recently approved U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Listen tomorrow for more on this vote and its chances of being approved.
