The CEO of the National Potato Council says opening Japan’s market to U.S. fresh table-stock potatoes will likely require help from President Trump.
Kam Quarles tells Brownfield Ag News this major issue between the two countries needs to be resolved.
“We’re hopeful the President would sit down with the Japanese Prime Minister,” he says. “I think one conversation, one elevation of this to a presidential level discussion would result in a $150 million per year in new U.S. ag exports.”
The U.S. potato industry has been working for more than 30 years for fresh table stock potato access in Japan.
In a recent trip, Quarles says Japanese officials presented the United States an unrealistic proposal as to what it would take to open the market.
“Regardless of the nature of the exports, the security of them and that they’re free of any phytosanitary issues, that doesn’t matter. The fact that you might have a phytosanitary issue in a state that would disqualify that state or production area from being able to ship to them.”
Quarles says it’s a standard Japan couldn’t even meet, and increased competition is likely the concern.
The USDA and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are doing what they can to push back and open the market, but Quarles says President Trump and the Japanese Prime Minister have a great relationship that could help the situation.
A request was sent in a letter to President Trump from lawmakers earlier this year, asking him to prioritize the issue in meetings with Japan.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Despite 30 years of industry efforts to open the Japanese market, it is going to take a personal effort from President Trump to push the issue over the finish line. This administration has been very engaged when it comes to market expansion and is prone to give an issue like this their full attention. Personal relationships will prove very helpful in resolving this matter successfully.
In the meantime, be certain to push AgPack® when talking to potato farmers. It offers them an opportunity to save thousands of dollars through exclusive rebates and discounts that help lower their operating costs.
