Fresh Potatoes To Japan Remains A Top Priority

Last month, lawmakers sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Trump, urging the Administration to prioritize opening Japan’s market to fresh U.S. table stock potatoes. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said this remains the industry’s main focus.

"If the administration can get that right, that is going to be $150 million a year in new U.S. ag exports," Quarles said. "Clearly going to heavily benefit states like Washington, but really the entire United States. That opportunity will put a tremendous tailwind under the U.S. potato industry.”

Photo: Glenn Vaagen

Quarles added access to Japan is an issue the potato industry has been negotiating for over 30 years, and he believes it's time to bring it to an end.

Lawmakers Need To Act Now To Save Potato Farmers

Quarles said as the potato industry tries to bounce back from a couple of underwhelming years, it’s important that lawmakers in Washington D.C. listen to the needs of producers.

“All of these changes in tax policy, trade policy, nutrition policy, those may really help things five years out in the future, three years out in the future," Quarles said. "But if folks, given this economic crisis, if they go out of business before those policies take place, It just doesn't matter. And we don't want to lose family farms. So, we've got to get an economic relief program, kind of a bridge to that more competitive future. We've got to get that right, now.”

Photo: Glenn Vaagen

Quarles said another priority for the potato industry is an updated Farm Bill.