Potato growers in North Carolina will have improved access to Canadian markets next year, thanks to a bilateral trade agreement signed recently by the United States and Canada.
Growers will have a limited amount of guaranteed access to Canadian markets under the new agreement, where they gambled in past years that Canadian growers would produce less than a full crop and need U.S. potatoes to meet demand.
“We’ve been pushing for this agreement and want to thank the National Potato Board, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative for working with us to gain increased access to this important market,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The new agreement will modify Canada’s system of ministerial exemptions so that North Carolina growers can fulfill their contracts and maintain access to this important export market. Canada is our largest export market for white potatoes, with our potatoes going into the chip market as well as fresh sales.”
