NPC to Japan Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. After recent talks with Japanese officials in Idaho ended with little or no movement on getting U.S. fresh potatoes into Japan, the National Potato Council isn’t giving up.I spoke with CEO Kam Quarles last Friday about this week’s trip to Japan …
QUARLES … “Both myself as well as Matt Lantz, who is our trade consultant, we’re going to head over to Tokyo. We’ll be there all of next week, meet with U.S. Embassy officials and some other industry folks, just to continue to reinforce the importance of the Japanese market.”
And after 20 years of negotiations, Quarles says we’re not giving up …
QUARLES … “This opportunity for market access, again, it would be about $100 million annually in new U.S. ag exports if we can get their market open for U.S. fresh potatoes. Really challenging.”
Japanese growers may keep resisting, Quarles says but we won’t quit trying …
QUARLES … “As you’ve said, this is greater than a two-decade long battle right now, and the overriding point of this, Bob, is that hope springs eternal and we remain optimistic in spite of all evidence maybe to the contrary.”
Listen tomorrow for more on the National Potato Council’s ongoing effort to get U.S. fresh potatoes into the Japanese market.