Idaho Potato Commission works on promo of Dehydrated Potato in Mexico

The Idaho Potato Commission is developing the details of a promotion for dehydrated potato products in Mexico.

The details of the project are still being worked out, said Seth Pemsler, vice president of retail and international affairs for the commission. The promotion will be a joint effort with Wal-Mart Mexico.

"They already have dehydrated potato products on their shelves, but there's little movement,"Pemsler told the commission during its regular meeting June 18. "There's strong interest in changing that.

Pemsler said he met recently with the new general manager for Simplot Co.'s operations in Mexico, who also believes there are opportunities for dehydrated products in that country.

A number of other international marketing programs for fresh Idaho potatoes are on hold right now, due to concerns over possible shortages in product availability in the 2009-10 season, particularly for countries requiring special testing, he told commissioners.