News
NPC CEO hopeful new trade model can propel potatoes into new markets
As he prepared to leave for two days of trade talks in Japan, National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles expressed optimism that a new USDA trade approach could help finally pry open the Japanese market to U.S. fresh potatoes. Earlier this week, US... more
Potatoes USA welcomes 9 chefs to culinary event
Potatoes USA recently hosted a three-day ChefLab event, welcoming nine culinary professionals from restaurants and manufacturers across the country to its Spud Lab in Denver. The program, in partnership with the National Watermelon Promotion Board... more
NPC nabs share of $8.3M to boost specialty crop trade
USDA is awarding $8.3 million in funding to help 11 U.S. recipients, including the National Potato Council, address trade barriers and expand international market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is provided through USDA’s Foreign Ag... more
Optical sorter to showcase new chip processing application
Key Technology will showcase a new chip processing application for its COMPASS optical sorter for chips later this month. An application for the belt-fed sorter designed specifically for potato chips, tortilla chips and similar snack foods will be... more
Senate confirms USDA officials as agency mulls relief for farmers
The Senate confirmed three new USDA officials on Sept. 18, including Dudley Hoskins as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP). Hoskins’ confirmation was applauded by both the National Potato Council and Sen. John Boozman, ch... more
Report forecasts dip in Canadian potato production
Canadian growers are forecast to produce 122.2 million cwt of potatoes in 2025 — 6 million cwt, or 4.7%, less than the country produced last year. Growing conditions across Canada have been mixed during the past month. Prince Edward Island and p... more
Recent labor developments spark optimism for long-term reform
Several recent decisions affecting ag labor have industry insiders cautiously optimistic that the political landscape may be favorable for long-lasting reform. In early September, the USDA announced it was discontinuing a method of measuring far... more
Late blight-resistant varieties near release in Kenya
New potato varieties bred to be resistant to late blight are close to approval and release in Kenya. The 3R-gene potatoes have been developed with the insertion of a three-gene stack of resistance genes taken from wild potato species. Researched f... more
NPC supports chief agricultural negotiator nominee, new active ingredient
The National Potato Council joined dozens of other agricultural organizations in expressing support for Julie Callahan, nominated for Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. In a Sept. 5 letter to Mike Crapo, ... more
USDA extends deadline to comment on reorganization plan
Members of the public have an additional month to comment on a proposed USDA reorganization after the deadline was extended until Sept. 30. An original comment period was to close Aug. 26. Stakeholders including USDA employees, members of Congr... more
