11/03/06 U.S. Potato Board success in China

November 3, 2006 The U.S. Potato Board is reporting great success with a campaign it conducted in China to counter the impact of negative publicity about acrylamide in foods including fried potatoes. USPB International Marketing Manager Susan Weller explains what happened in China following negative press reports in the wake of a World Health Organization health alert and cautions from the Chinese Ministry of Health against eating foods like fries. Weller: "China's largest quick serve restaurant which is Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC China, they reacted by removing fries from all their combo menus. So that obviously led to really negative sales, not just for U.S. fries but for world wide fry exports." Weller says the Potato Board got some Market Access Funds from USDA and conducted a nutritional campaign in China that featured a seven city media tour. The results: Weller: "We actually saw a very positive influence in the amount of U.S. frozen potato exports. In fact a 222% rebound from all the decrease in exports" The U.S. regained a dominate position with a 70.4 percent share of the fry market from 47.9 percent. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.