Potato exports rise with mixed distribution

DENVER — U.S. potato exports rose in the nine months from July 2021 through the end of March 2022, according to data released Wednesday from producer group USAPotatoes.

According to a press release, U.S. potato producers exported about 743,000 metric tons of frozen potatoes in the 2021-22 marketing year, an increase of 2.8% from the previous marketing year, worth $874.7 million, an increase of 6% from the previous year. Fresh potato exports reached nearly 414,000 metric tons, an increase of nearly 10%, and were valued at $204.6 million, an increase of 15%.

The increases were, however, spread unevenly, the press release noted. Exports of frozen potatoes to Canada rose 42% and the Philippines saw a 25% increase, but logistics and shipping issues prompted major declines in frozen potato sales to Thailand (down 35%), Saudi Arabia (down 20%) and Malaysia (down 15%).

“These, and other markets, are still suffering from unstable supply and shipping issues,” the press release noted. “Many international restaurant chains are looking to source frozen products from other origins to ensure a consistent supply.”

Fresh potato exports were buoyed by a recent decision by Mexico’s Supreme Court striking down Mexican regulations banning the import of U.S. fresh potatoes south of a 26-kilometer-wide zone along the border, USAPotatoes said, with sales to Mexico posting a 13% gain and sales to Canada posting a 10% gain. However, these were partly offset by a 90% decline in fresh potato exports to Vietnam and a 43% fall in exports to Thailand, the press release noted.