Efforts Intensify to Open Japanese Market to U.S. Fresh Potatoes
The U.S. potato industry is intensifying its efforts to gain access for fresh U.S. potatoes into the Japanese market. Although Japan is a significant destination for U.S. processed potatoes, it currently restricts imports of fresh potatoes from the United States. The National Potato Council (NPC) is advocating for this change, highlighting the potential economic benefits of such a market expansion.
Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, emphasized the importance of this issue, noting that while Japan has been open to processed potato imports, fresh U.S. potatoes have yet to be permitted. “It’s a big market for processed potatoes, and we also received access for chipping potatoes about three years ago,” Quarles remarked. “But there is no fresh table stock potato access.” Allowing fresh U.S. potatoes into Japan could lead to a 10 percent increase in fresh U.S. potato exports, Quarles added.
The NPC estimates that opening the Japanese market to fresh U.S. potatoes could boost exports by an additional $150 million annually. This potential increase would significantly benefit Idaho potato growers and the broader domestic industry. Jamey Higham, CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, expressed optimism about the prospect, stating, “We think our Idaho brand would be well received in Japan.” Idaho is the leading state in U.S. potato production, contributing approximately 14 billion pounds annually, which represents about a third of the nation’s total potato supply.
A recent NPC report, “Spud Nation,” highlighted the substantial economic impact of the U.S. potato sector, which was valued at $101 billion in 2021. The report revealed that around 20 percent of American potatoes are exported, contributing nearly $4.8 billion to the economy and supporting about 34,000 jobs. The demand for export markets is critical for the U.S. potato industry, which relies heavily on international trade to manage domestic supply pressures.
In a bid to support this effort, a bipartisan group of 10 U.S. senators, including both senators from Idaho, sent a letter to the President on April 11, urging continued pressure on Japan to allow imports of fresh U.S. potatoes. This access has been a longstanding request, dating back nearly three decades.
