Dive Brief:
- Potato exports from the United States soared to record highs in the 12 months ending in June, as demand rose in Asia.
- Exports grew across the board. Total volume rose 7.5% from a year earlier, while the dollar value of potato exports rose 7% to roughly $1.76 billion.
- The biggest increase in export value was in frozen potatoes: 10%.
Dive Insight:
There's much for potato growers and shippers to celebrate here. First and foremost is the continuing growth in Asia. Japan remains the largest buyer of U.S. potatoes, but Korea is now the fourth largest, passing China. And the biggest increase came in the Philippines, which opened its market to table stock just last year.