US Seed Potato Exports Grow 61% in Americas, Eye New Markets in Africa

United States seed potato exports saw strong growth from July 2024 to March 2025, with major gains in Central America (61% increase compared to the prior year). Long-term variety trials continue in Cuba, while Panama, Nicaragua, and Uruguay all imported U.S. seed potatoes for the first time since the pandemic.

Why it matters

Potatoes USA’s Seed Export Program continues to position U.S. seed potatoes as a preferred choice worldwide through targeted variety trials, market development, and grower collaboration.

Central America and the Caribbean

The surge in Central American exports reflects revived demand for fresh market seed potatoes following pandemic-related slowdowns. Exports to Panama and Nicaragua began for the first time since the pandemic, with Panama importing the Soraya variety and Nicaragua importing Golden Globe — both a direct result of Potatoes USA’s successful 2023 variety trials. Potatoes USA will continue to promote other U.S. varieties in Panama and Nicaragua in 2025.

As long-term variety trials continue, Cuba has the potential to become the largest export market for U.S. seed potatoes in the Americas outside of Canada. The Golden Globe variety is expected to be registered in 2025, potentially allowing sales later in the year, while other varieties like Eva, Soraya, and Alegria may become eligible by 2027. (Cuba has a high bar for market entry, requiring at least four years or more for variety registration.) Additional varieties like Gala and Blackberry are planned for shipment in fall 2025.

Potatoes USA is also pursuing trial opportunities in the Dominican Republic —to expand beyond the chipping market to fresh market varieties— and Honduras, where the variety Sound was trialed successfully in six sites in 2024. If approved for registration, imports of U.S.-produced Sound could begin later in 2025.

Uruguay

While Uruguay had been importing the Red Magic variety from France for several years, production issues led Uruguay to begin importing U.S.-produced Red Magic. The country continues showing strong demand for new red-skinned seed potatoes and the standard variety, Chieftain.

Reverse Trade Mission

Potatoes USA’s reverse trade mission, held July 29-Aug. 2, 2024, welcomed seed potato buyers from Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Panama to the U.S. to tour seed potato farms in North Carolina and Washington. Delegates also visited storage facilities and labs, and they learned about U.S. seed potato certification, potato breeding, and APHIS standards.

Opportunities in Africa

A global assessment by S&P Global on behalf of Potatoes USA identified West Africa as a promising new region for U.S. seed potato exports, as the United States can ship to key markets about four weeks earlier than Europe. Potatoes USA received grant funding for U.S. exports to develop these markets, including Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.