Growers from 11 new states can export to Korea, laying the way for exports to increase by up to 10 per cent
The US potato industry has celebrated expanded access to Korea with a new agreement allowing growers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wisconsin to export table stock and chipping potatoes to the Asian market.
According to a release from the National Potato Council (NPC), the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced expanded access would commence on 23 January 2026.
“We thank the administration for this landmark trade achievement. This announcement marks the culmination of 19 years of persistence by the dedicated team at USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine, NPC, our state and national partner organisations, our market access advisors at Bryant Christie, and the entire administration,” said NPC vice president of trade affairs Brett Jensen, a potato grower from Idaho.
“Although this process began in 2007, our industry and government partners never wavered in their commitment to delivering this result for American growers.”
Previously, only fresh and chipping potato growers from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington had access to the Korean market.
Currently, the Korean market for US fresh potatoes is valued between US$12mn and US$20mn annually, a figure historically constrained by quotas and limited state eligibility. While total US potato exports to Korea exceed US$150mn, the fresh market represents significant untapped potential, said the NPC.
“This agreement expands the portion of the US potato crop eligible for export to Korea. By granting access to major chipping states, including Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, the US is better positioned to supply the Korean market during its newly established year-long duty-free access for U.S. chipping potatoes, agreed to under the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) 15 years ago and now finally fully implemented in 2026,” the NPC added.
A 2024 economic impact study by Michigan State University modelled a conservative 10 per cent increase in exports resulting from this expansion.
This expanded access arrives at a critical moment for the industry. According to recent data from the American Farm Bureau Federation, US potato growers currently face extreme financial losses due to high input costs and market instability. Opening new export channels helps alleviate some of that economic burden for growers in these key production areas.
Expanding international markets remains a top priority for NPC and NPC leadership, growers, and industry partners have said they will emphasise the importance of new trade opportunities to administration and elected officials at the upcoming 2026 NPC Washington Summit on 23-26 February.
