Apr 8, 2009Industry Opens Doors to Russian Potato Shipments
Shipments of fresh potatoes to Russia became a possibility after a market access agreement was signed on March 17. The agreement provides for market access from all states.
This was the first plant market access agreement ever to be signed between the United States and Russia, according to the National Potato Council and the United States Potato Board. Work began on establishing a market access agreement for U.S. potatoes to Russia in 2006. The US potato industry worked through its Sanitary and Phytosanitary Initiative, jointly funded by USPB, NPC and state potato organizations.
The final step in the process was a visit by Russian officials to the United States. The officials went to Oregon where they met with state and national officials and toured potato production and packing facilities. The Oregon Potato Commission, Washington State Potato Commission and Idaho Potato Commission helped to organize the visit and hosted this delegation.
