Mexico Allows for Expanded Marketing of U.S. Potatoes

On Monday, May 19, 2014, Mexico -- in a long-awaited move -- expanded marketing opportunities for U.S. potatoes.  Prior to this action, U.S. potato exports were limited to Mexican markets that were within 26 kilometers (16 miles) of the U.S. border.  Although this action opens up the Mexican market for U.S. potato growers -- except for potatoes that are destined for processing -- there are specific limitations on the expanded market.  Those limitations include:

• Potatoes must be shipped in packages of 20 pounds or less
• Each package must be labeled with the following Spanish phrase “Este product no debe ser utilizado para siembra”
• Shipments are restricted to municipalities over 100,000 inhabitants or more
• Mexican importers must also apply for new import permits.