Mar 18, 2019US potato exports down during December 2018
U.S. potato exports were down 2.6 percent during December 2018 from the previous year. This follows a 4.9-percent increase in November.
Both frozen and fresh potatoes, which account for the majority of exports, were down. Frozen fell 5 percent, while fresh was down 2.2 percent. Those drops were somewhat offset by a 5.4-percent spike in chip exports and a 1-percent rise in dehy exports. Overall, the U.S. exported 5.98 million cwt during December.
The data was compiled by North American Potato Market News using statistics from the U.S. International Trade Commission database.
Exports to Mexico fell by 8.2 percent. The Mexican-imposed 20-percent tariff on frozen potatoes remain in effect.
Potatoes going to Canada rose by 6.8 percent, however. The Canadian crop was down in 2018, thanks in no small part to harsh weather conditions during harvest in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.
