Montana and Colorado Seed Potatoes Get Approved for South Korea

As of November 12, seed potatoes from Montana and Colorado can be used in the Pacific Northwest chipping and table stock export programs for South Korea, the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association has reported.

“This request was several years in the making and getting this locked in required a tremendous amount of effort by USDA. Excellent industry input was coordinated by Matt Lantz and Adam Hollowell at Bryant Christie and John Toaspern and his team at Potatoes USA. This was a great team effort and we are pleased it is positively concluded,” said Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council.

Growers in the Pacific Northwest specifically sought the ability to source seed potatoes from Montana and Colorado as options for the program. The revised market access agreement includes the new areas. This is effective immediately and 2019 seed can be used for the 2020 crop in the region.

According to the report, the council continues to seek expanded access for chipping and table stock potatoes from additional states. Those negotiations will continue in 2020.