U.S. potato exports increased at a record pace in the third quarter, up 12 percent by volume from the same period in 2007, according to government trade data.
Exports of potatoes and potato products during the July-September period totaled 1.5 billion pounds in raw product equivalent.
Potato chips and french fries showed the largest gains, with increases of 32 percent and 18.6 percent respectively. Dehydrated potatoes eked out a 1 percent increase during the quarter.
Fresh shipments, the only category to post a decline, fell nearly 9 percent from the same quarter in 2007.
The U.S. exported 43 million more pounds of frozen french fries during the three-month period than it imported.
The last quarter during which fry exports exceeded imports was the summer of 1999.
The value of all U.S. potato exports exceeded the value of imports by $100 million during the quarter. But the situation could reverse itself in coming years, said Bruce Huffaker, publisher of the North American Potato Market News.
Exports of potatoes and potato products during the July-September period totaled 1.5 billion pounds in raw product equivalent.
Potato chips and french fries showed the largest gains, with increases of 32 percent and 18.6 percent respectively. Dehydrated potatoes eked out a 1 percent increase during the quarter.
Fresh shipments, the only category to post a decline, fell nearly 9 percent from the same quarter in 2007.
The U.S. exported 43 million more pounds of frozen french fries during the three-month period than it imported.
The last quarter during which fry exports exceeded imports was the summer of 1999.
The value of all U.S. potato exports exceeded the value of imports by $100 million during the quarter. But the situation could reverse itself in coming years, said Bruce Huffaker, publisher of the North American Potato Market News.
