Export markets are increasingly important outlets for U.S.-grown potatoes in general and specifically for Idaho, according to Frank Muir, president of the Idaho Potato Commission.

Speaking at the 86th annual convention of the Idaho Grower Shipper Association in Sun Valley, ID, Aug. 28, Muir commended the U.S. Potato Board for the efforts it is making to open or re-open various markets around the world for U.S. potatoes. In Idaho, “we are leveraging everything the U.S. Potato Board is doing internationally,” he said. “When we see the growth that is happening internationally, we have to be there, and we are.”

It is a relatively recent phenomenon, at least with regard to fresh-market potatoes. “This is something that has happened in the last 10 or 11 years,” Muir said. “We weren’t doing anything with fresh potatoes 10 years ago in export markets. We are now, in a big way, both in foodservice and retail” with activities ongoing in such countries as Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore and Macau. Among other things, “we are involved in trade missions … and reverse trade missions.”

The commission is also involved many of the same types of activities in countries that import Idaho potatoes as it is in the domestic market. Among other things, “we conduct training, in-store sampling and promotions in all of these countries.” Muir said.

As an example, when Mexico opened its borders to U.S. potatoes in mid-April 2014 beyond the 26-kilometer border zone where they had previously been admitted, the Soriana chain of supermarkets was among the customers in Mexico that quickly took advantage of the opportunity to put potatoes in additional stores beyond the border communities.

Just three weeks later, the border was closed again due to a court order. But during the brief time it was open, The Idaho Potato Commission “supplied 60 Soriana locations in Chihuahua and Monterey” with point-of-sales materials for a Potato Lover’s Month display contest.

Idaho sent 10 container loads of potatoes to Mexico, and more were on their way when Mexico again closed its border June 9, but until that happened “we were going big time with Potato Lover’s Month, and it was going to get bigger,” he said. “But Soriana was so pleased with what we did that they wanted to continue the Potato Lover’s program in the 31 Soriana stores within the 26-kilometer area. Soriana tells us that 80 percent of their potato sales are currently Idaho varieties, so even though we had to cut down, we are the major player with Soriana.”

Efforts to get Mexico to again re-open the country’s interior to U.S. potatoes, and when that happens “and we get further into Mexico, the commission is prepared to be there with “a major plan of action,” Muir said.