July/August 2021 - 25

Low consumption, said Toaspern, is linked to a lack of supply
and the very high prices Mexican consumers have to pay for
fresh potatoes. Mexican fresh potatoes sell for around 25 pesos
per kilogram throughout Mexico. U.S. potatoes that enter the
26-kilometer border region, by contrast, sell for between 10
and 15 pesos per kilo.
But demand is rising, he said, pointing to increased exports
of frozen potato products from the U.S., Canada and the
European Union.
Before trade can begin, though, the Mexican Supreme Court
must first publish its ruling. This was expected in mid-June,
but at the time of writing it had not yet been published. The
ruling must clearly state that the Ministry of Agriculture has
the authority to determine import regulations, and that those
regulations are based on science.
In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S.
Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, National
Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles expressed concern that
Mexican market access may only be temporary. He worries that
Mexican officials may invent a way to halt imports again.
" The long history of this dispute confirms that the Mexican
government is only grudgingly allowing access for U.S. potatoes,
as the Mexican potato cartel, CONPAPA, is exerting great
political power to impede competition with the U.S., " he said.
The most recent indication of this intention occurred in
April when SENASICA changed their U.S. fresh potato import
protocols. The change, said Quarles, was made without
notice to the U.S., and involves additional sampling of U.S.
potatoes to be sent to a laboratory that is selected and paid
for by CONPAPA.
Toaspern is also concerned. The Mexican Ministry of
Agriculture, he said, must reinstate the regulations that were
in place when the lawsuits were brought. The most important
of these is the document that outlines the requirements for
the importation of U.S. potatoes. One of the requirements is
that potatoes be packed in bags of 20 pounds or smaller, and
must carry a label in Spanish that reads: This product must
not be used for sowing.
The process could take months, said Toaspern.
" We're also certain that CONPAPA will lobby the Ministry of
Agriculture and others not to proceed, " he said.
Concern isn't restricted to those within the U.S. potato
industry; Mexico's avocado growers in the state of Jalisco
worry that delays will hinder access to the U.S. market. Their
access is contingent on the successful implementation and
importation of U.S. fresh potatoes into Mexico. In his letter
to Vilsack and Tai, Quarles suggested using the avocado
growers as leverage.
" Should Mexico continue its historical pattern by delaying
reinstating market access for U.S. potatoes or illegitimately
restricting the market, we strongly urge USDA and USTR to
move forward with the dispute resolution process under the
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and thereby seek to apply
tariffs against Mexican exports to the U.S. such as avocados, "
he said.
Potatoes USA and the National Potato Council continue to
work with officials in Mexico, as well as the USDA, to get U.S.
fresh potatoes into Mexican kitchens.
Spudman * July/August 2021
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July/August 2021

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