Exploring new target markets is a prime ingredient of the U.S. Potato Board’s seed potato program to expand export sales. Our recipe is simple: tap growth opportunities in emerging markets with traditions of potato cultivation; introduce high-quality U.S. seed potato varieties; provide technical assistance to improve basic production practices; and facilitate U.S. business connections with foreign partners.
Our U.S. variety introductions are funded by grants from the USDA to plant the seed for future American exports. In early 2015, the USPB conducted market assessments for potential seed potato target markets in Guatemala, Morocco and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). In July, the USPB hosted participants at our biannual International Seed Symposium, which was followed by tours of seed-growing state. This fall, the USPB begins variety trials to further assess growing conditions and market preferences.
Guatemala
Guatemala represents a new Central American market for the U.S. seed potato program. It’s not a typical market and has been relatively isolated for most of its existence. Variety trials will test the yields and adaptability for seed potatoes for the table-stock and chip-stock markets. The untapped fresh table-stock market offers opportunity for U.S. seed growers, while the chipping seed market is expected to double by 2020. Over the last five years, Guatemala imported as much as 640 metric tons of seed annually for producing chip-stock. In July, the USPB hosted four Guatemalan visitors on a reverse trade mission to California.
Morocco
Morocco is one of a group of North African countries that import significant quantities of seed potatoes, traditionally from Europe, just across the Strait of Gibraltar where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. The USPB market assessment showed Morocco has good potential as a U.S. seed potato market. Morocco has a developed importer/distributor sector eager for new varieties. Although a small amount of U.S. seed potatoes have entered Morocco, this is essentially an infant market. In July, the USPB hosted four Moroccan visitors on a reverse trade mission to Maine following the Symposium.
Myanmar
Myanmar is unlike any other seed potato market in the world. It is a large market, yet they do not formally import any seed potatoes and have few variety choices. At the same time, they have a strong and growing domestic demand for potatoes and excellent growing conditions. High-quality seed and varieties could make an important, novel impact on potato production in Myanmar. This is a significant opportunity for U.S. seed growers to be the first seed exporters to the potato producers of Myanmar. In July, USPB hosted four Myanmar visitors on a reverse trade mission to Idaho following the Symposium.
The USPB will be hosting market visits to these three test markets in the next 12 to 18 months and invites U.S. growers and exporters to come explore. Grants are available to partially defray travel expenses. Please contact USPB marketing operations director Amy Burdett at amy@uspotatoes.com for more information.