Brazilian buyers looking at Wisconsin seed potatoes

Wisconsin hosted a group of potatoes growers from Brazil last week, who came to the United States as part of a reverse trade mission sponsored by the United States Potato Board. The growers are interested in obtaining seed potatoes from the U.S., specifically chip stock seed from Wisconsin growers. 

As part of the mission, the visitors met with USPB staff in Denver, Colorado before coming to Wisconsin to meet with Antigo seed growers. USPB Consultant Ed Missiaen said the Brazilian growers are very interested in Wisconsin seed potatoes. 

Brazilian consumption of frozen potatoes has increased from 80,000 tons in 2005 to 300,000 tons in 2010. 

Brazil imported 5,325 tons of seed potatoes in 2010, with 45-percent of the varieties being used for processing.