The United States Potato Board (USPB) organized a chip-stock trade mission to Japan, November 5-9, 2007 for US chip-stock growers to meet with Japanese snack manufacturers. The US delegation was made up of Virgil Slagell and Lon Baley, USPB International Committee Members, Weston Walker, a chip-stock grower from Oregon, Dr. Joe Sowokinos from the University of Minnesota as a technical specialist and Sarah Mahler and John Toaspern, USPB staff.
During the meetings with Japan’s major snack food manufacturers, the US delegation provided information on the USPB, US potato varieties, their characteristics and how to maintain US potato quality during shipping, receiving and storage. During each meeting, the group also learned about the snack manufacturer and their needs and discussed market access.
The trade mission was effective with productive meetings and plant tours and is a key element to maintaining relationships with snack manufacturers. Because the interest in and desire to import US chipping potatoes is very high, the USPB will continue to work with the Japan Snack Manufacturers’ Association and USDA to gain greater access for US chipping potatoes to Japan.
