U.S. and Mexican agriculture officials have agreed that U.S. fresh potato access will expand in Mexico by May 15.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Mexico Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Victor Manuel Villalobos Arambula announced on April 5 that the U.S. and Mexico have concluded all necessary plant health protocols related to expanded U.S. fresh potato shipments.
The officials agreed to a final visit by Mexican officials in April that finalizes expanded access to the entire Mexican market no later than May 15 for all U.S. table stock and chipping potatoes, according to the agreed workplan.
Reaction
U.S. potato industry leaders, which have been fighting for expanded U.S. potato access in Mexico for more than two decades, said the announcement was positive but said final steps must proceed as promised.
“The National Potato Council appreciates today’s positive announcement and thanks Secretary Vilsack and the teams at USDA and [the Office of the US Trade Representative] for their efforts to ensure that Mexico lives up to its bilateral trade obligations,” the group said in a statement. “Given the history of this 25-year trade dispute, we are waiting to declare victory until we see durable exports of both fresh processing and table stock potatoes throughout all of Mexico as required by the November 2021 signed agreement. We hope the April site visit by Mexican officials will be the last hurdle we need to clear and that no last-minute roadblocks will be erected prior to Mexico finally – and permanently – reopening its border to U.S.-grown potatoes.”
Despite the restriction of U.S. fresh shipments to only the 26-kilometer border region within Mexico, the country is the second largest market for fresh potato exports, purchasing 124,449 metric tons valued at $60 million in 2021, according to the council.
The U.S. potato industry estimates that access to the entire country for fresh U.S. potatoes will provide a market potential of $250 million per year, in five years, according to the NPC statement.
