Denver – U.S. potato exports reached record value and volume in the 12-month period from July 2022-June 2023. Export values increased 19.05 percent to $2.2 billion, and export volume increased 3.85 percent to 3.3 million metric tons (fresh weight equivalent).
U.S. potato export values increased across all categories (frozen, fresh, dehydrated, seed, and chips), with double-digit rises in all but seed potatoes. The increase in export volume was led by dehydrated potatoes and chips, which rose by 25.63 percent and 11.19 percent, respectively. Overall, approximately 20 percent of U.S. potatoes are exported.
In the period July 2022-June 2023, Mexico became the United States’ largest potato export market for the first time, followed by Canada and Japan. The entire Mexican market opened to U.S. fresh potato exports in May 2022.
The value of U.S. frozen potato exports rose by 20.43 percent, reaching $1.4 billion despite a 4.54 percent decrease in volume compared to the previous 12 months. For U.S. frozen potatoes, the top export markets were Japan, Mexico, and South Korea. Frozen export values increased in all three countries, with a significant 25.93 percent growth in export volume to Japan.
The value of exported dehydrated potatoes increased by 24.00 percent to reach $257 million, and volume increased by 25.63 percent to reach 965,523 metric tons. The top destinations for U.S. dehydrated potatoes were Canada, Japan, and Mexico, and exports increased in value and volume for each of these countries.
The value of fresh potato sales rose 15.57 percent from the previous 12 months to $310.4 million, though the volume of U.S. fresh potato shipments decreased slightly by 3.07 percent. Canada, Mexico, and Japan were the top export markets for U.S. fresh potatoes, with both value and volume increasing to Mexico.
Although representing smaller portions of U.S. potato exports, potato chips increased in value by 11.34 percent and in volume by 11.19 percent. Seed potato exports also increased in value by 3.68 percent, though volume decreased by 5.82 percent. The export value of U.S. potato chips and seed potatoes amounted to $219.0 million and $15.1 million, respectively.
Trade Data Monitor compiles the data from the United States Department of Commerce, Foreign Trade Division, using the Harmonized Coding System, Schedule B. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports, or the consequences of any actions taken based on any information contained herein.
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