As the $186 million-plus fresh potato export market continues to grow an average of 9 percent annually, the Idaho Potato Commission has stepped up its global marketing efforts with the addition of Traci Hiebert as the new Idaho Potato Commission international marketing director.
“Idaho® potatoes command a premium even in countries that grow their own potatoes, and new international markets are continuing to open up regularly,” said Seth Pemsler, Vice President, Retail/International, Idaho Potato Commission.
“Traci will be drawing on her many years of experience in international marketing and business development to help the Idaho Potato Commission tap into the most promising opportunities worldwide. We’re seeing strong potential in a number of countries that have recently opened their markets to U.S. potatoes, especially the Philippines, Panama and Colombia.”
Hiebert will be based in the Eagle office, where she will focus on driving Idaho® potato sales in both new and existing markets, such as Mexico and emerging markets in Asia and Latin America. “When Mexico completely opens to U.S. potatoes, that market is projected to grow fivefold, and Idaho is optimally positioned to capitalize on this opportunity due to our proximity and our knowledge of the customer base,” said Hiebert, an Idaho native who has spent nearly two decades launching and expanding consumer product lines in international markets.
Hiebert will work with Idaho Potato Commission’s international offices for Mexico, Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America, which help facilitate connections among Idaho potato shippers and foreign trading partners, along with creating and executing marketing promotion programs and offering ongoing marketing support.
Fresh Idaho® potatoes are currently shipped to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Vietnam.
