News on Potato Trade

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced this week that it has reached an agreement with its Mexican counterpart allowing fresh Canadian potatoes to be exported to Mexico for consumption or processing.

Northwest Europe faces a potato oversupply after acreage expanded to over 600,000 ha, adding about 5 million tons since 2022. Jan van Hoogen says growers should reduce acreage and be patient for two years while the market finds balance.

Agricultores de distintas regiones advierten que el ingreso ilegal de productos como papa y hortalizas está hundiendo los precios, dejándolos por debajo de sus costos y comprometiendo la sostenibilidad de la producción nacional.

Los agricultores de papa en El Conejo, Veracruz, sufren una fuerte caída de precios por la sobreoferta tras una cosecha favorable, vendiendo por debajo del costo y enfrentando importantes pérdidas económicas.

Latest potato free-buy prices have fallen to less than half their level a year ago, with Potato Call quoting the best Maris Piper at GBP 180 per tonne compared with GBP 400 per tonne for similar potatoes last season.

Eleven additional states can export fresh table-stock and chipping potatoes to South Korea, according to a Jan. 23 agreement announced by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

India is emerging as a frozen fries exporter. US imports rose over 350% year-on-year, China paid premium prices, while South Korea saw falling annual volumes. Expanding capacity is increasing pressure on traditional European suppliers.

Belarus harvested 3 million tons of potatoes in 2025, down from 3.1 million a year earlier. While authorities say supplies are sufficient, experts warn imports may be needed by summer, potentially pushing prices higher.

Spain’s sweet potato supply is low due to weather, keeping demand and prices high. Marta Guerra’s nursery continues growing plants, noting rising consumer interest, strong Spanish quality vs imports, and ongoing water challenges.

Pakistan can double potato export earnings by focusing on industrial varieties and processing. Rising production, global demand, and quality seeds boost growth, while value addition opens high-value markets and stabilizes farmer incomes.

IFA President Francie Gorman told the 71st IFA AGM that opposition to the Mercosur trade deal, securing a strong CAP budget and tackling rising costs will dominate IFA’s 2026 agenda, warning of food safety risks and pressure on farm incomes EU.

The National Potato Council voted to urge USTR to launch a Section 332 investigation into Canadian potato trade practices, citing decades-old restrictions in British Columbia and concerns over subsidies harming U.S. growers.

A massive protest by potato farmers on Monday brought traffic to a standstill on the Sadiya main road, as cultivators demanded fair prices for their produce and the creation of a proper market system.

Enfrentando un escenario de posible sobre oferta local, la importación de papa desde Estados Unidos se convierte en una amenaza mayúscula para el sector productivo local.

Por cuarta semana consecutiva el valor de la papa en los principales mercados brasileños mostró un incremento significativo, revirtiendo la depresión que predominó durante la mayor parte del año.

M S International joins the Global Potato Summit 2025 as a Bronze Sponsor, highlighting export strength, infrastructure, and its farm-to-world model. MSI leaders will join panels and partnerships to strengthen India’s global potato role.

Los precios de la papa tipo ágata subieron en los principales mayoristas debido a lluvias y baja oferta, pero esta mejora puntual ocurre en un año especialmente difícil para los productores brasileños, marcado por costos elevados, inestabilidad climática, sobreoferta e importaciones que han deprimido la rentabilidad del sector.

Pakistan and KOICA discussed a feasibility study for a Seed Potato Production Centre at PARC, Islamabad. The project aims to cut seed imports, boost yields with Korean tech like aeroponics, and supply virus-free certified seed to over 100,000 farmers.