French fries potatoes from the American state of Idaho can be exported to Japan again. This was announced by the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, on Friday 15 September. More than 11 years ago, the Asian country closed its borders after the discovery of potato cyst nematodes.
Idaho is by far the largest potato producing state in the United States. The country has a 98% market share in Japan, but hopes to further increase its export volume. In 2016, the export value of fresh and frozen potato products to Japan was $19 million, up from $1 million in 2010.
Is not nematode-free
In 2006, Japan closed the border to potatoes from Idaho after potato cyst nematodes were found in the southeast of the state. Since then, the USDA Department of Agriculture has been working to reduce the nematode problem.
Japan is satisfied with the result and is therefore now opening its borders again. Only the towns of Bingham and Bonneville maintain their quarantine status. These areas are not nematode-free.
Japan also recognizes that all states where seed potatoes are produced in the US are free of nematodes and nematodes. This means that chip potatoes can be grown for Japanese export.
Dutch exports are not affected
The Japanese decision has relatively little effect for the Netherlands. Comparatively, potatoes are not exported that much to Asia. No distinction is made per country.
In 2016, exports to Asia amounted to almost 20.000 tons. That was about the same in 2015. In 2014 the volume was significantly higher, at almost 52.000 tons. For comparison: exports to America amounted to almost 2016 tons in 50.000. For Africa this was 111.000 tons.
Seed potatoes have not been exported to Japan recently. The export list does not show how much of the total volume was exported to Japan.
US dominant in all areas
The US also dominates the French fries market. If we look at the most recent figures, up to and including June 2017, the United States leads with a volume of 251.433 tons of fries and other frozen potato products. That is an increase of 10,9% compared to the same period 1 year earlier. Belgium comes in 28.853nd with 2 tons (a minus of 8,8%) and the Netherlands comes in at 22.756rd with 7,7 tons (a plus of 3%).