Jun 18, 2025Data shows US seed exports surging in Central America
U.S. seed potato exports saw major gains in Central America from July 2024 to March 2025, with a 61% increase compared to the prior year.
Long-term variety trials continue in Cuba, while Panama, Nicaragua and Uruguay all imported U.S. seed potatoes for the first time since the pandemic, according to data from Potatoes USA’s Seed Export Program.
The Central American resurgence reflects revived demand for fresh market seed potatoes following pandemic-related slowdowns, according to Potatoes USA. Panama imported the Soraya variety and Nicaragua imported Golden Globe — both a direct result of Potatoes USA’s successful 2023 variety trials.
Cuba
Cuba is poised to become the largest export market for U.S. seed potatoes in the Americas outside of Canada. The Golden Globe variety is expected to be registered in 2025, potentially allowing sales later in the year, while other varieties like Eva, Soraya and Alegria may become eligible by 2027. Additional varieties like Gala and Blackberry are planned for shipment in fall 2025.
Cuba requires at least four years for variety registration.
Dominican Republic
Potatoes USA is also pursuing trial opportunities in the Dominican Republic to expand beyond the chipping market to fresh market varieties as well as in Honduras, where Sound was trialed successfully at six sites in 2024.
If approved for registration, imports of U.S.-produced Sound could begin later in 2025.
Uruguay
Uruguay has begun importing U.S.-produced Red Magic after production issues with supply from France, according to Potatoes USA. The country continues to show strong demand for new red-skinned seed potatoes and the standard variety, Chieftain.
Seed potato buyers from Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama toured U.S. seed potato farms in North Carolina and Washington during Potatoes USA’s reverse trade mission, held July 29-Aug. 2, 2024. Participants also visited storage facilities and labs and learned about U.S. seed potato certification, potato breeding and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service standards.
Opportunties in Africa
A global assessment by S&P Global on behalf of Potatoes USA identified west Africa as a promising new region for U.S. seed potato exports, with the U.S. able to ship to key markets there possible about four weeks earlier than Europe. Potatoes USA received grant funding to develop markets including Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and Ghana.
