This year the United States Potato Board (USPB) will be organizing several seed potato market visits for US growers to learn about opportunities and meet current and potential seed buyers. Please see the schedule below for USPB organized visits:

February 14-22, 2012 – Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka reported total potato production of 61,700 metric tons in 2009, more than twice its level just 10 years before when production totaled 27,170 metric tons. It imports 6,000-7,000 metric tons of seed potatoes annually to supply its expanding potato production. Most potatoes are consumed as table-stock, as there are no potato chip producers nor frozen processors. Around 90% of the seed imported is Granola. Sri Lanka’s traditional potato growing areas are in the cool highlands. Space is very limited in the highlands, and there is a desire to extend planting into the coastal areas of the country where there is flat land. The hot coastal areas plant potatoes in early November for harvest in February. The primary variety planted in the lowlands is Desiree. This market has historically been supplied by the Dutch, but also with small amounts from Germany, Scotland, Australia and India.

February 20-25, 2012 – Nicaragua

Nicaragua is primarily a fresh potato market. In 2009, Nicaragua consumed about 45,000 metric tons of potatoes, and produced about 35,000 MT. Nicaragua plants about 5,681 acres of potatoes, but they probably could plant much more acreage if they had varieties adaptable to higher temperatures. Nicaragua imported 1,250 MT of seed potatoes from the US, Holland and Guatemala. The potential demand for seed is close to 3,000 MT. For the US potato industry, Nicaragua’s gradual increase in potato production opens up opportunities for seed exports. Industry sources indicate domestic consumption of fresh potatoes will rise an average 1-3% in the short term, based on a higher availability of locally grown potatoes due to substantial productivity increases and new plantations in the northern region of Nicaragua. Nicaragua implemented an import protocol for US seed potatoes in January 2006, making it possible for US seed potatoes to be imported into the market. Currently Granola, Cal White and Jacqueline Lee are registered in Nicaragua and Marcy, Red LaSoda, LaChipper, Keuka Gold and Kenita are hoped to be registered soon.  

March 25-30, 2012 – Uruguay

Uruguay has been importing US seed for seven years, with seed sales steadily increasing. For 2009/10 the US exported about 725 MT of seed potatoes. Uruguay plants roughly 9,000 hectares (22,230 acres) of potatoes per year and consumes about 48 kg per person per year. They have a need for about 15,000 to 18,000 MT of seed per year. Roughly 3,000 MT are imported and the rest is “National” seed. The US’ largest competitors for seed potato market share are Canada, Benelux and Chile. Canada is the largest supplier. The primary variety grown in Uruguay is Chieftain.

April 1-6, 2012 – Egypt

Egypt has been steadily increasing its production and consumption of potatoes in the last five years and is one of the largest seed potato importing nations in the world. They currently receive almost all their seed from Europe. Egypt imported over 100,000 MT of seed in 2010-11. Egypt is also a fresh potato exporter, having exported over 400,000 MT of table-stock potatoes, primarily to Europe, but also to Russia and other Middle Eastern countries. Local production is shared between retail and industrial use, with the bulk of fresh potatoes sold on the retail market and the remainder processed into chips and frozen fries. The primary varieties for import are Spunta and Nicola for the fresh market and Lady Rosetta and Hermes for the chip market. A market access agreement still needs to be finalized for US seed potatoes, however exports may still be able to occur based on import permits. The USPB is currently conducting its second year of variety trials that include both fresh market and chipping varieties to determine their adaptability to the growing conditions. These trial results will also be used for registration of US varieties, another hurdle that must be overcome to fully open the market.

Seed Potato Market Visits Annoucement.pdf

One of the largest snack food companies in the Philippines reports they increased their imports of US potatoes by 20% in 2011. They report going from a 30/70 split between US and German potatoes to a 50/50 split in 2011, due to the excellent quality and superb customer service from their US supplier. They hope to increase imports from the US even more in 2012, possibly moving to a 70% market share for the US.

Army + Navy Burgers, a chain of 16 stores that offer high end burgers in Manila, in December, launched Basket Weave Fries from the US as a separate menu item. If the new cut is successful, they plan to introduce new cuts on a regular basis. The USPB representative in the Philippines has been working with the restaurant to help them add a second fry item.

The “Ship” restaurant chain in Kuala Lumpur added wedges to go along with straight cut and crinkle cut fries. They launched the new product with a promotion in December in conjunction with the USPB.

The USPB recently conducted a retail seminar in Taisuco hypermarket in Tainan City for 25 people, including buyer, store manager and deli counter staffs. In the three-hour seminar, the USPB representative introduced the varieties and nutrition benefits of US potatoes; the US Fresh Potato video was shown and the audience learned how to handle US potatoes in the store and in storage. In the second section, Executive Chef Paul Wang of Lakehouse Hotel, a five star hotel in HsinChu City, demonstrated different recipes to the audience, showing the convenience, quality and excellent taste of US potatoes. The seminar was highly appreciated by all in attendance.

The USPB representative in Taiwan recently published two advertorials in the China Times magazine featuring a healthy potato advertorial and a Christmas party featuring US potatoes. With a total circulation of 720,000, the advertorials successfully taught the target audience about the healthy image of US potatoes, as well as educated consumers on the benefits of consuming US potatoes as part of a quality life style.

An episode of the “Chef's Gourmet Cooking” TV show featured US potatoes December 20. Reaching 720,020 households, or 2,160,600 viewers, the chef spoke about the quality, variety and convenience of US potatoes, while preparing a number of different dishes with different US potatoes.

Anna’s Catering Services, a company established over 50 years ago in the Philippines, visited the USPB trade show booth at the World Food Expo (WOFEX) in August 2011.  The company proceeded to test standard potato flakes, standard potato granules, slices and shreds for their various menu items. After much amazement in the results, especially the increased volume, they incorporated US dehy potatoes on their menu. 

In addition to mashed potatoes, Anna’s has developed baked chicken with potatoes using US dehy slices, and corned beef hash using US dehy shreds, which are served at their catered parties. Additionally, students from kindergarten to high school at the Immaculate Concepcion Academy, which has about 3,000 students, can enjoy US mashed potatoes on a daily basis!

Anna’s Catering is continuing to develop new menu items with US dehy, so we look forward to seeing what they launch next!!!

Recently, two large wholesale bread companies, Shany and Samlip, merged under the same name, Samlip, in Korea. During this time, Samlip’s new and aggressive business division, the deli bread sections for convenience stores, renewed its product lines, and the “Lunch Pack” line launched a new sandwich, “Ham Potato”. The concept of “Lunch Pack” is to make and pack products to be convenient and clean, easy for consumers to consume at the office, in school or even a car. The new Ham Potato Lunch Pack uses US blended dehydrated potatoes in the filling of the closed bread sandwich. This product is available at most major convenience stores nationwide.

Join us for a Webinar on February 28^th

No matter where you live in the US, you can always hear the “US Potato Update” simply by visiting the “US Potato Update” Archives…

2.15.12—Teaching Other Countries How to Use US Fries.mp3

2.22.12—Potato Nutrition Handbook is a Good Resource.mp3