26 Kilometer Zone Re-opened to U.S. Potatoes; Rest of Mexico Still Closed

U.S. shippers can resume exports of potatoes to Mexico starting July 7, but only to the 26-kilometer (about 16 miles) zone along the border previously allowed before exports to the entire country were approved this spring - only to be rescinded less than a month later.

The move to allow shipments again comes three weeks after U.S. Department of Agriculture officials met with their Mexican counterparts at SAGARPA in Mexico City.

In May, Mexico allowed U.S. potatoes to be shipped throughout the country, but a lawsuit filed by Mexican growers claimed phytosanitary issues had not been addressed and all shipments to Mexico stopped. The Mexican Potato Producers Association (CONPAPA) injunction stopped shipments June 9.

At that time, an official with the National Potato Council, Washington, D.C., said the injunction wasn't a surprise because the industry expected some hurdles to implementing the new rule.

According to the council, the value of annual fresh potato exports from the U.S. to Mexico could go from $30 million to $100 million when exports are allowed to be shipped to the entire country.

At the time the rule was announced, the council said the value of annual fresh potato exports from the U.S. to Mexico could jump from $30 million to $100 million.