Potato Exports to Japan Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. The National Potato Council says efforts to expand the Japanese market to accept fresh, table stock U.S. potatoes continue patiently.NPC outgoing president, RJ Andrus says it would be huge for U.S. growers …
QUARLES … “If opened, Japan would become a massive new market for U.S. fresh potato exports, estimated at $150 million to $200 million annually.”
NPC CEO Kam Quarles says emphasized just how important the Japanese market would be …
QUARLES … “This latest Spud Nation report highlights the fact that potatoes are vital to our country and with more trade opportunities, we will be able to deliver more economic value into the future.”
And from a dollar’s perspective …
QUARLES … “In terms of potential, RJ, I think, hit on it very well. You’re talking $150 million a year. Once it’s fully opened and built out, that’s additional exports of fresh, what we call, table stock potatoes.”
Japan, Quarles says is already a big market …
QUARLES … “Japan is already a major market for processed products, and a limited amount of chipped potatoes go in there. But the big opportunity here is for fresh table stock.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on gaining access for U.S. potatoes in Japan.