The Washington State Potato Commission and Oregon Potato Commission continue with collaborative efforts to gain increased international market access. This October and November, state agriculture directors from Oregon and Washington will lead a trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines to promote fresh potatoes grown in the Pacific Northwest. Representatives from both potato commissions will be included in the delegation.

“Just last summer, the Philippines granted market access for table stock potatoes from all U.S. states, and Vietnam is still a growing market for table stock potatoes from the U.S.,” said Ryan Holterhoff, director of marketing and industry affairs for the Washington State Potato Commission. “Both markets show great promise for having fresh potatoes from our region incorporated into more of their local dishes.”

Bill Brewer, executive director of the Oregon Potato Commission, said work continues to help potato producers gain increased access to Mexican markets. “OPC, along with the entire U.S. potato industry, are working with USDA/APHIS to reopen the Mexican potato market,” he said. “After more than 10 years requesting access to the entire country, the U.S. was granted restricted markets for three weeks before it was closed again. After a few weeks of negotiations the old, [16-mile] border region was reopened. We are now shipping to that region again. There is no estimate of when the agreed upon access will take place.”

At the state level, Holterhoff said one of the continued focuses at WSPC is to “work on humanizing Washington’s potato growers and connecting the industry to the public. One of the main avenues we will continue to do that with is through the Washington Grown campaign. [Various elements comprising the campaign include] the development of a weekly television show, agricultural spotlight features, a robust social media presence and other announcements that help people understand what Washington’s farmers and ranchers are providing to our plates, economy and culture.”

The commission also offers a variety of programs to growers in the area of food safety. “This year, the WSPC has provided growers support with materials to assist them with step-by-step guidance for updating their food safety support materials,” Holterhoff commented. “This effort is to ensure they are meeting all of the necessary industry requirements.”

WSPC staff member Raina Spence provides dedicated assistance and food safety support to growers throughout the year. “Raina provides visits to the individual farms where she can assist with the review of their compliance materials and offer guidance for updating existing documentation. She also offers pre-audit walk-throughs to help the growers prepare for their respective regulatory audits,” Holterhoff said.

Each year, WSPC commits over $1 million to advance the environmentally sound product and cultural practices of potato production within the state to ensure Washington state potatoes are the highest quality and most sustainable potato available.

On other fronts, the Huckleberry Gold potato, a purple-skinned, yellow-flesh variety commercialized by the Potato Variety Management Institute, is being well received. “It has a very good taste and has very high antioxidant and vitamin C levels,” said Executive Director Jeanne Debons. “It is interesting because although it is yellow fleshed, it bakes up quite fluffy instead of waxy like … Yukon Gold and others we are more familiar with.”