Badger Common’Tater November 2022 Issue
Potatoes USA Hosts Mexico Reverse Trade Mission
Seventeen importers, distributers and retailers from Mexico met with U.S. farmers and shippers
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
Importers, distributers, and retailers from Mexico pose with freshly harvested Centennial Russet potatoes at Three S. Ranch, Inc. in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The farm tour was part of the Potatoes USA Mexico/U.S. Fresh Potato Reverse Trade Mission, October 3-6, 2022.
Fresh potatoes imported into Mexico. It’s been a long, hard-fought battle to get U.S. fresh potatoes past the 26-kilometer border zone and further into Mexico.
More than two years after celebrating the Mexican Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in favor of allowing U.S. fresh potato imports, the first shipments crossed into Mexico on May 11, 2022.
The U.S. federal government fought for years to restore access to this vital market. The successful crossing signaled the start of Mexico’s process to restore full market access for U.S. fresh potatoes after decades of disputes and legal obstructions.
Fast forward to today, and Potatoes USA hosted a Mexico/U.S. Fresh Potato Reverse Trade Mission, October 3-6, beginning and ending at its corporate offices in Denver, Colorado, and including a trip to the fertile San Luis Valley potato producing area.
The Reverse Trade Mission (RTM), which included 17 importers, distributors, and retailers from Mexico, focused on U.S. fresh potatoes in response to the opening of the border for trade.
Potatoes USA staff members Kayla Dome, Tiffany Thompson, Caitlin Roberts, and Blair Richardson coordinated the event, gave presentations, and welcomed guests to the Potatoes USA offices in Denver.
“This office was designed not to sell potatoes, but with the idea of giving consumers an experience that people have with potatoes,” Richardson, the chief executive officer of Potatoes USA, said. “A modern kitchen and state-of-the-art audio/visual system enhance the experience.”
