Full Market Access for PEI Potatoes to the United States

Through its official voices, recently, the Government of Canada has declared that it is committed to restoring full market access for PEI potatoes to the United States (US) and will continue to support potato growers as they head back to the fields and prepare for the upcoming growing season.

“Reopening the United States border for most PEI potato exports came at a critical time for the industry,” according to a recent press release.

As part of continued efforts to support the long-term prosperity of PEI's potato industry, Budget 2022 provides USD28m in additional funding. This year’s financing will include a USD16m over two years, starting in 2022-23 to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to support long-term investments and assist in stabilizing the PEI potato sector and supply chain.

Another USD12m over two years, starting in 2022-23, will be allocated to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to accelerate the investigation into the latest detection of potato wart to help prevent its spread and to allow for full trade to resume with the US as soon as possible.

The CFIA will use the funds to fill over 35 positions to accelerate the soil sampling and testing, including an expansion of current laboratory capacity. This will help maximize CFIA's efficiency in completing the ongoing investigations related to the most recent findings identified in October 2021, which are targeted for completion in 2023.

Beyond the federal support allocated to PEI's potato industry in Budget 2022, the Government of Canada has also provided a Stay of Default for 2021 outstanding potato advances.

“These have been granted to provide growers with additional flexibility to repay an estimated USD20m in advance payments. Potato growers who received support from the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture (PEIFA) 2021 Advance Payments Program (APP) and are in good standing are eligible for the Stay of Default,” a recent press release shows.

In addition, potato seed growers may also be eligible for compensation under the Potato Wart Compensation Regulations (PWCR). Compensation under these regulations is another tool to support growers.

PEI exports of fresh potatoes are vital to the Island's economy, and all of Canada. The Government of Canada remains committed to ensuring the long-term prosperity of PEI's potato industry for future generations to come.