For the marketing year July 2006 - June 2007 (MY07), the United States Potato Board (USPB) reports total US potato exports were valued at a record $1,000,252,000. On a volume basis, total exports were 1,108,391 metric tons (MT). This represents an increase over MY06 of 5% in volume and 13% in value. On a fresh weight equivalent basis, exports were equal to 52,174,591 hundredweight (cwt) of raw potatoes, representing roughly 15% of total potato production in the United States and continuing a five-year trend of increasing exports.
The increase was led by exports of frozen potatoes which reached 679,510 MT, valued at $550 million and with a fresh weight equivalency of 25 million cwt. This is an increase in both volume and value of over 15% from MY06 and represents record levels of exports of frozen potato products. The top export market for frozen products continues to be Japan at 253,810 MT, which grew by 6% this past year. Other top export markets with their annual growth percentage are Mexico, 91,627 MT (2%);Canada, 80,266 MT (63%);China, 39,561 MT (31%);Taiwan, 31,642 MT (64%);Korea, 28,779 MT (-11%);and the Philippines, 28,328 MT (56%). It is interesting to note exports to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) countries grew 8% to a total of 45,007 MT. In most cases increases in US exports were due to overall expansion of consumption in the foreign markets, however, the US also benefited from short supplies in Europe to take market share away from the EU.
The increase was led by exports of frozen potatoes which reached 679,510 MT, valued at $550 million and with a fresh weight equivalency of 25 million cwt. This is an increase in both volume and value of over 15% from MY06 and represents record levels of exports of frozen potato products. The top export market for frozen products continues to be Japan at 253,810 MT, which grew by 6% this past year. Other top export markets with their annual growth percentage are Mexico, 91,627 MT (2%);Canada, 80,266 MT (63%);China, 39,561 MT (31%);Taiwan, 31,642 MT (64%);Korea, 28,779 MT (-11%);and the Philippines, 28,328 MT (56%). It is interesting to note exports to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) countries grew 8% to a total of 45,007 MT. In most cases increases in US exports were due to overall expansion of consumption in the foreign markets, however, the US also benefited from short supplies in Europe to take market share away from the EU.
