Governor Brad Little joined potato farmers and a delegation from Japan last week in eastern Idaho to tour a local farm and continue negotiations that would allow Idaho fresh potato exports to Japan.
Little urged the Japanese and U.S. officials to work toward a deal in the near future that would allow for the introduction of fresh, table stock potatoes into the Japan market.
He also plans to lead a trade mission to Japan and Taiwan in November to open trade opportunities for a host of Idaho companies and industries.
Opening the Japanese market to fresh potatoes from the United States is predicted to result in sales in excess of $150 million annually. Idaho is the largest producer of potatoes in the country, harvesting about 310,000 acres annually and accounting for more than $1.3 billion in revenue in 2023.
Details on the governor’s trade mission to Japan will be released in November.
