12.07.10

Cantwell Calls for Opening Mexico's Markets to Washington Potatoes

Full access could mean $100 million export market

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging an agreement with Mexico to allow American potato growers full access to Mexico’s markets.  Currently, American potatoes can only be exported to a region within 16 miles (26 km) of the U.S.-Mexico border.  Full access would expand the U.S. potato export market to Mexico by at least fourfold, from $24 million to $100 million in the next five years, according to U.S. potato industry estimates.  Vilsack travels to Mexico Wednesday to meet with his Mexican counterpart.
 
“Mexico represents a very important market for the farmers of my home state of Washington,” Cantwell wrote.  “During these tough economic times, it is especially important to work to expand the number of markets available for American agricultural products.”
 
In 2003, Cantwell traveled to Mexico with the Washington Potato Commission to support expanded fresh potato trade with Mexico. Shortly thereafter, Mexico agreed to allow fresh potato exports into the 16-mile zone, with the expectation that all of Mexico would soon be open to American potato exports. Prior to the 2003 U.S.-Mexican agreement, Mexico allowed no fresh potato exports from the United States.  Since the agreement, Mexico has become the second largest buyer of U.S. fresh potatoes, importing over $24 million worth in 2009. 
 
[Text of the letter follows below]
 
December 7, 2010
 
Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-0001
 
Dear Secretary Vilsack,
 
As you travel to Mexico on December 8th to meet with Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture Javier Mayorga Castaneda, I urge you to prioritize access for fresh American potatoes to all of Mexico. I traveled to Mexico in 2003 to urge an agreement on access to fresh American potatoes in Mexico. Shortly after, an agreement was reached to allow the shipment of fresh potatoes within 26 km of our border with Mexico. It was my understanding at the time that Mexico would work to open the rest of the country to imports by 2005.
 
Now, five years later we are still waiting for full access to Mexico for our fresh potatoes. The restrict access we currently have generates sales of $24 million. That market could grow to $100 million if we were able to gain full access to Mexico for fresh potatoes. 
 
There is no phytosanitary reason for the border region restriction; the potatoes being export to Mexico are destined for kitchens, not for farms. Nor are they being exported for seed; they are sprout inhibited, rendering them ineffective for seed.
 
Mexico represents a very important market for the farmers of my home state of Washington. During these tough economic times, it is especially important to work to expand the number of markets available for American agricultural products.
 
Again, I urge you to make expanded fresh potato access to all of Mexico a priority during your upcoming meetings with your counterpart, Secretary Javier Mayorga Castaneda.
 
Sincerely,
 
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator
 
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