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Since 2005, the U.S. potato industry has enjoyed a trade surplus in potatoes and potato products. Net export value (U.S. exports minus imports) of potatoes and potato products in 2009 totaled $180 million. Japan, Canada, and Mexico are the top three export markets; together, they account for about two-thirds of total U.S. potato exports. Most exports consist of processed potatoes, such as frozen french fries, potato chips, and dehydrated potato products (e.g., potato flakes, granules, and flour).
Frozen french fries are the top potato product exported from the United States, accounting for more than half of total potato export volume. In 2009, exports of frozen french fries totaled 3.0 billion pounds (fresh-weight-equivalent basis), valued at $635 million. Although 2009's volume and value are down from 2008, french fry exports have been trending upward over the decade.
Potato chips and dehydrated potato products are also important export products. From 2005 to 2009, chip exports averaged 543 million pounds (fresh-weight equivalent) with an average value of $178 million. During this same period, exports of dehydrated potato products (flakes, granules, flour, meal, and dried potatoes) averaged 966 million pounds (fresh-weight equivalent) with an average value of $82 million.
Few fresh potatoes are exported from the United States, partly due to restrictive phytosanitary import regulations imposed by some foreign countries. Given close proximity to U.S. growing regions, Canada is the leading importer of U.S. fresh tablestock and seed potatoes. Mexico, the second leading foreign market, imports limited amounts of both fresh and seed potatoes. Most fresh potatoes exported to Mexico are reportedly used for processing. Over the past 5 years, Canadian imports of fresh and seed potatoes averaged $79 million, while Mexico's imports averaged $24 million. Exports to Canada are expected to remain about the same, while Mexico has limited potential due to restrictive phytosanitary regulations regarding U.S. fresh and seed potatoes.
Between 2005 and 2009, the United States imported an average of $886 million in potatoes and potato products. Canada is the largest supplier, followed distantly by Mexico, the Netherlands, and Germany. Canada's exports to the United States consist mostly of frozen french fries and other frozen potato products. Mexico mainly supplies chips and prepared/preserved (canned) products, while the bulk of imports from Germany and the Netherlands are starches and other dehydrated products.
Trade Data
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