National Potato Council Expresses Disappointment on Japan Fresh Market Access

The National Potato Council is disappointed that the United States - Japan agreement did not include fresh market access for United States potatoes. Japan has delayed this market access request from the United States for thirty years, including delays as recently as this month.

Kam Quarles, CEO of National Potato Council:

"It is very disappointing that the United States was unable to use President Trump's tariff leverage to push past Japan’s protectionism and finally open this valuable market."

The meeting this week between President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi did not include any mention of United States fresh potato access, nor was any reference made to it in follow-up statements. This was preceded by talks between USDA and MAFF officials earlier in October where Japan again provided no timeline for concluding the three-decade request.

Since the end of the first Trump Administration, United States family farms have lost over USD 750 million in exports to Japan due to this protectionism. Earlier this year, President Trump's announcement of tariffs upon Japan provided significant leverage to finally end the Japanese strategy of negotiation-without-conclusion.

Kam Quarles:

"Despite this disappointment, we were pleased by United States Chief Agriculture Negotiator-nominee Dr. Julie Callahan’s comments Wednesday before the Senate Finance Committee, where she acknowledged Japan’s delaying strategy is a non-tariff trade barrier. This has been stated by our industry for years, and we very much appreciate Dr. Callahan’s clear assessment and focused intent to open this market to benefit family farms across the United States."

With low commodity prices and increased input costs this year, the potato sector and specialty crops in general are facing a major economic crisis.

Dean Gibson, National Potato Council Vice President of Legislative Affairs and a grower from Idaho:

"The loss of this opportunity in Japan deepens this crisis and increases the imperative for the Administration and Congress to provide meaningful economic relief for United States specialty crop growers."

Should the United States be successful in finally achieving access, the Japanese market for U.S. fresh potato exports is estimated at USD 150 million annually. The inability to access Japan puts increased pressure on positive outcomes on tariffs and non-tariff barriers for potato products in other valuable export markets for the United States