Potatoes to Japan Update Part 1

Potatoes to Japan Update Part 1

I'm Bob Larson from the Ag Information Network. Recent talks with Japanese officials that began nearly 20 years ago about access to U.S. fresh potatoes in Japan ended, as they do every year, in frustration.

Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, says nothing has changed…

QUARLES… “These bilateral meetings take place every year. Last year it was Tokyo, this year it was Idaho Falls, which is great for the Japanese technical officials to see the high quality of US production, and they went to top-notch factories. Other than that, this story remains the same.”

And at the same time Quarles says almost verbatim…

QUARLES… “Last year in Tokyo they said, 'We will not commit to anything other than that we will continue to talk to you in the United States.' And amazingly, this year they repeated the exact same statement, almost verbatim.”

Simply put, Quarles says Japanese growers don't want the competition…

QUARLES… “I think their domestic industry would be very happy to continue this forever.” They would like to never have to move forward with this process, and so it's up to us to keep pushing them forward and hopefully get them to a better place. But right now it’s very clear that their feet are dragging and their heels are digging in.”

Hear more tomorrow about this agonizing battle to get fresh U.S. potatoes to the Japanese market.