First shipment of US seed potatoes headed to Cuba

The first shipment of U.S. seed potatoes to Cuba is on its way, announced Potatoes USA Dec. 9.

The mixed load of 10 different varieties will be utilized in trials conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in Cuba. This trial process must be completed prior to commercial shipments of U.S. seed potatoes occurring.

Concurrent to the trial shipment, USDA and the Ministry of Agriculture signed a market access protocol for U.S. seed potatoes to enter Cuba. The details of the shipping requirements will be posted to the USDA APHIS PCIT export database and available on the Global Trade Regulations Database.

Potatoes USA initiated efforts to establish a market for U.S. seed potatoes in Cuba six years ago with a visit by industry members and experts. Potatoes USA received approval to utilize USDA Market Access Program (MAP) funds in Cuba for the July 2020-June 2021 marketing year.