Kam Quarles

The recently announced U.S.-Japan trade agreement is a disappointment for the National Potato Council, because it did not include fresh market access for American spuds.

The potato industry is hopeful good news on the trade front could be right around the corner.  The Trump administration has reportedly begun talks with Japan to eliminate tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.   “Since it became obvious that there was going to be a negotiation, specifically with Japan, we have been pushing the administration," said Kam Quarles, National Potato Council CEO.  &q

If you’re looking at attending the 2025 Potato Expo in Orlando, January 9-10, you’re running out of time to sign-up.  The early bird registration deadline is November 1st, and National Potato Council CEO, Kam Quarles said they anticipate a solid turnout.   “This new ve...

The most recent talks with Japanese officials that began nearly 20 years ago about getting U.S. fresh potatoes access in Japan ended just as they have every other year, in frustration.  National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said nothing has changed.   “...

Last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that an agreement had been reached to allow U.S. potatoes into the Mexican market no later than May 15th. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said while the news is good, no one is holding their breathe right now ...

Currently, the U.S. is not importing potatoes from Prince Edward Island in Canada due to an outbreak of potato wart. Kam Quarles, president of the National Potato Council, and said the quarantine is good for both the United States and Canada ...

Potato growers are excited after the signing of a plan allowing American producers to export fresh potatoes to all of Mexico. This comes months after the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in favor of American growers, saying fresh spuds could not be limited to just 16 miles from the U ...

In an effort to streamline annual events, the National Potato Council recently announced it is combing their Annual Meeting with the Potato D.C. Fly-In. “We’ve moved our annual meeting to our Washington, what we’re calling, our Washington Summit which is in March," NPC CEO Kam Quarles noted. "And what that ...

Earlier this week, the Mexican Supreme Court overturned a 2017 lower court decision that prevented fresh U.S. potatoes from entering the country. Wednesday’s unanimous ruling, marks the end of a decade-long legal process that began when Mexico’s potato industry sued its government to prevent competition from imports. Since it ...

On Wednesday, the Mexican Supreme Court decided to delay its long-awaiting ruling on whether it will overturn a ban on fresh potato imports from the U.S. until next week at the earliest. Although processed potato products can still be imported into Mexico, fresh potatoes have been effectively banned from the country for over 20 years ...