04/28/06 Potato Comission at China Prez lunch

Farm and Ranch April 28, 2006 Washington State Potato Commission Chairman Randy Mullen and Director of Trade Matt Harris were able to participate in the historic friendship luncheon welcoming China's President Hu last week in Everett, Washington. The importance of the event was evident to the spud representatives, as they were seated across from former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The Commission's Matt Harris says China is a major market for frozen fries with exports increasing over 40 percent from 2001 to 2004 before sharply dropping last year. He says an end user took fries off its quick value menu, but apparently has put them back on this year. Harris: "The United States Potato Board, they are looking at a marketing plan for China specifically, which would help with that demonstrating frozen product through media advertisement and also looking at the health benefits of potatoes in general." Harris says the U.S. Potato industry has also been working to open access for fresh potatoes to China and is awaiting the return of a Pest Risk Assessment from China's equivalent of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Harris: "As soon as that document is submitted back to APHIS, with regard to fresh potato exports, we could look at that possibility." Washington Potato Commission representatives have been on two trips to China working on fresh potato market access including conducting a chipping potato seminar. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff for the Northwest Ag Information Network.