U.S. exports of potatoes and potato products were again mixed in March 2018 with exports of dehydrated potatoes up, while both frozen and fresh exports were down for the month. The volume of frozen potato product exports declined by 9% compared to March 2017 and are now exactly at the same level as they were in the 2016-17 marketing year after 9 months. Exports of dehydrated potatoes increased 19% in March and are now up 4 percent for the July-June marketing year. Fresh exports were off 8% for the month but remain up 10% for the marketing year (MY) to date.
The decline in frozen exports for March was led by a 25 percent decline to Mexico, a 22 percent drop to Korea (which is now down 6 percent for the marketing year), a 15 percent decline to Indonesia and down 12 percent to Taiwan. On the positive side, exports were up 40 percent and 47 percent to the relatively small markets of Thailand and Vietnam and were up 3 percent to China, though this market is still down 24 percent for the MY to date.
Dehy exports were paced by an 85 percent spike to Mexico, though this market remains off 4 percent MY to date. Exports in March were up to 22 percent to Canada, 20 percent to Japan, 78 percent to Malaysia and 92 percent to the Philippines, which is now up 80 percent on the year.
The decline in fresh exports for the month was mainly due to a 29 percent drop to Canada, though exports to the north still remain up 6 percent for the marketing year. Exports to Mexico were up 17 percent in March and are up 13 percent for the year; a short domestic supply situation and very high prices should keep exports to the south growing for the remainder of the marketing year. March also brought good growth in exports of chipping potatoes to both Korea and Japan. Exports to Taiwan of both table-stock and chip-stock are also doing very well; up 73 percent for the month and 15 percent for the year.
For further details, see the attached reports by clicking the purple buttons below. These figures are compiled by Trade Stats Northwest. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of any information contained herein.