The National Potato Council (NPC) has expressed disappointment that fresh market access for U.S. potatoes was not included in the latest U.S.-Japan trade discussions. The issue has been under negotiation for three decades without resolution.
Japan has continued to delay approval for the import of U.S. fresh potatoes, most recently during bilateral talks earlier in October between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). No timeline was provided for completing the market access process.
© National Potato Council
The topic was not addressed during the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, nor in subsequent official statements. According to the NPC, the absence of progress marks another setback for growers seeking entry to Japan's fresh potato market.
NPC Chief Executive Kam Quarles said the organization had hoped the U.S. administration would use ongoing trade leverage to advance discussions. "It is very disappointing that the U.S. was unable to use President Trump's tariff leverage to push past Japan's protectionism and finally open this valuable market," he said.
U.S. potato producers estimate that delays have cost the sector more than US$750 million in potential exports over the past three decades. The NPC has long identified Japan's import restrictions as a non-tariff trade barrier. During recent Senate testimony, U.S. Chief Agriculture Negotiator nominee Dr. Julie Callahan described Japan's approach as a delaying strategy and reaffirmed plans to pursue market access for U.S. potatoes.
Industry representatives have linked the lack of progress to broader financial challenges in the U.S. specialty crop sector, where growers face low prices and rising production costs. NPC Vice President of Legislative Affairs Dean Gibson said the continuing absence of access to Japan "deepens this crisis and increases the imperative for the Administration and Congress to provide meaningful economic relief for U.S. specialty crop growers."
Analysts estimate that the Japanese fresh potato market could generate about US$150 million annually in exports for U.S. growers if access were granted. The NPC has stated that it remains focused on working with U.S. trade officials to achieve progress on tariffs and non-tariff barriers in Japan and other major export markets.
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