American potatoes get access to all of Mexico. With this ruling, the Mexican Supreme Court puts an end to a years-long battle between the two countries. The ruling also offers leads for other countries to gain access to the Mexican market.
Since 1996, Mexico has restricted the access of American potatoes to a 26 kilometer strip along the border between the two countries with phytosanitary import conditions. No potatoes are grown along the northern border of Mexico and the spread of any viruses or fungi would not pose a risk.
Growers' protests
In 2014, Mexico agreed to a proposal to grant U.S. potatoes full market access. Mexican potato growers successfully sued the government. They stated that regulators have no authority to determine whether agricultural products can be imported. A district judge ruling in 2018 continued to restrict access to the border region. That statement was based on arguments based on the introduction of pests and food safety. The Supreme Court has now ruled that the district court had no jurisdiction to make this ruling.
Opening for other countries
The ruling may also offer export opportunities for other countries. It is now impossible for the Netherlands, for example, to export potatoes to Mexico. This ruling may change this in the long term.
In 2020, the US exported $60 million worth of potatoes to Mexico despite being limited to the border region. This makes the country the second largest export market for fresh American potatoes. The American potato industry expects this market to increase to $5 million in 200 years.