China now second biggest US potato consumer as annual volume soars 57pc

CHINA is now the second largest market for US potato exports - after Canada - up 57 per cent to 99,219 tonnes in the marketing year ending June 30, according to the United States Potato Board (USPB).

US potato exports to Asia increased 59 per cent to 64,888 tonnes, led by 100 per cent increase in chipping potato exports to Japan and Thailand with strong sales of both chipping and table potatoes to Malaysia and Taiwan.

American fresh potatoes, often moved in open-sided ISO containers, were valued at $204 million, an increase of 10 per cent, with volume at 407,114 tonnes, an increase of two per cent.

Despite no potato board promotion, South Korean consumption of American fresh potatoes soared 46 per cent to 19,823 tonnes, in large part because a free trade agreement coming into force.

Total potato exports came to 1.5 million tonnes worth US$1.58 billion, led by a 17 per cent increase in frozen potatoes.

Frozen potatoes, moved in reefer boxes, was the biggest segment at 60 per cent and worth $989 million this year, up 22 per cent, with volume up 17 per cent to 905,941 tonnes. Japan is the biggest consumer of US frozen potatoes at 300,528 tonnes, up five per cent.

Global demand for US fresh and frozen potatoes increased 1.5 million tonnes worth almost US$1.6 billion during the marketing year, representing a 10 per cent increase in volume and a 17 per cent increase in value year on year, said the USPB.