Oregon, Washington potato producers looking to expand export opportunities

Officials from Oregon and Washington are working on an upcoming joint trade mission to expand export opportunities for Northwest potatoes. “We are conducting a trade mission to the Philippines and Vietnam with the directors of Agriculture from both Oregon and Washington State planned for November,” said Bill Brewer, executive director of the Oregon Potato Commission. “OPC will be conducting this mission jointly with the Washington State Potato Commission.”

Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, said export markets present the state’s fresh producers with important market destinations. “Most of our fresh potatoes are kept here in the U.S.,” he stated. “About 20 percent of our fresh potatoes are export. About half of that are fresh potatoes shipped to Asia for processing into potato chips.”

Canada is Washington’s largest export market for fresh potatoes. “Washington has a built-in advantage of having nearby access to critical seaports located within our own backyard. This close proximity allows access to critical markets throughout Asia and Central America,” he added.

According to Brewer, roughly 13 percent of Oregon’s fresh product is exported. “It is hard to track because statistics don’t separate fresh chip exports from fresh table stock exports,” he stated. “Oregon easily exports over 50 percent of the entire potato production to international markets.” Key destinations include Taiwan and Mexico. Although there is no market access for table stock at the current time, Korea does receive potatoes for chipping. “Vietnam has potential, and we have high expectations with the Philippines approving market access for table stock now,” he commented.

Both men said producers in their respective states are anticipating good crops in 2013. “It’s been a really good growing season, with perfect growing conditions the first half of the season,” Voigt said. “Higher temperatures in early July will take the top off yields. But we are expecting a great crop. Fresh potato harvest started [the week of July 14] and will continue through mid-late October.”

Voigt expects Washington potato supplies to be similar to last season. “Volumes will be higher than normal in the early season since the supply pipeline is pretty dry,” he state