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| HEADLINES (Click on headline for full story): | September 7, 2007 |
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US POTATO EXPORTS RECORD ANOTHER RECORD FOR THE 2006/07 MARKETING YEAR
US potato exports reached an all time high in the July 2006 – June 2007 marketing year and exceeded the previous year’s total by 9%. The fresh weight equivalent of total exports was 52.8 million cwt., or roughly 15% of total potato production. US exports of frozen potatoes increased for the fourth year in a row and reached 879,468 metric tons, valued at $550 million, an increase of 16% over the previous year. The increase was led by 5% growth in the largest market, Japan, plus increases of 31% to China and 56% to the Philippines, as well as continued expansion in sales to Canada, Mexico and Central America. Despite much higher prices, US exports of dehydrated potatoes grew 6% by volume and 32% in value. The full recovery and expansion of exports to Japan to a record $22 million led exports with increases to China, Korea and Southeast Asia also contributing. US exports of fresh (table-stock and chip-stock) potatoes were down 11% due to continued declines in sales to Canada as the result of market access issues. Further hindering fresh sales was the 26 kilometer restriction in Mexico, which recorded no growth for the first time in three years. Exports to the United States Potato Board (USPB) targeted markets in Asia were up despite short supplies in the US. Of particular note were increases of 200% to Korea and 66% to Japan, both of which have benefited from improved market access. APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2008 POTATO INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The 2008 Institute will begin in the San Luis Valley of Colorado where participants will receive an overview of the US potato industry, including domestic and international marketing. Tours of local production and processing will be held, in addition to exposure to the unique attributes of the growing area and market. Participants will then head to Washington, D.C., where the focus will move to national legislative and regulatory priorities for the US potato industry and leadership skills training. Training sessions will include presentation skills, leadership development, media training, and lobbying skills. “If you have a passion for potatoes, the Leadership Institute is the best investment you will make,” asserts Ernie Ford, a grower from the San Luis Valley of Colorado who was elected by the 2007 class to serve as the grower leader in 2008. “You’ll be able to tell people how much passion you have for the industry and show them by leading us all into the future!” Attached is additional information on the Institute, along with a registration form. If you are interested in participating in the 2008 Potato Industry Leadership Institute, contact the NPC or your local state organization. Applications are due October 31, 2007.
Healthy Potato Recipes for Today’s Consumer As part of its Fiscal Year 2007-2011 Long Range Growth Strategy to maintain an appetite appeal message via dissemination of healthy and delicious recipes and innovative and healthy tips on meal prep, USPB Public Relations efforts garnered 15 recipes in 12 major consumer magazines in the month of August. Since January 1, 2007, 175 delicious and healthy potato recipes have appeared in the pages of leading consumer magazines, all delivering the message of exciting new ways to fix potatoes for today’s hectic lifestyle. Potato Recipes--August 2007.xls Potato Recipes--Total 2007 .xls
BUILDING A STRONGER FOUNDATION FOR US DEHY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA In the spring of 2007, the USPB International Marketing staff expanded its presence in Southeast Asia by hiring Synergy Asia Marketing Services, Inc., and Kraipob Pangsapa, in addition to retaining Lieu Marketing Associates to further develop US potato promotion activities and opportunities in Southeast Asia. Lieu Marketing will continue to implement programs for Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, while Synergy Asia will work in the Philippines and Pangsapa will represent the USPB in Thailand. As part of the new representatives’ training, and to build a stronger foundation for promoting US dehy in Southeast Asia, International Marketing Manager/Dehy, Teresa “T.K.” Kuwahara, recently facilitated an intensive training session entitled “Dehy 101”. This presentation gave the reps more in depth information on each of the various dehy products, as well as the opportunity to learn about the benefits of incorporating dehy into local bakery formulations, such as Asian Sweet Buns. “I think this was an excellent opportunity for the reps to really gain a good foundation on the information we have already, but to also think about how US dehy can best be utilized in their markets, how they can best present the information to the local trade and to really focus on what sector they can target to maximize the utilization of dehy,” noted Kuwahara. To facilitate the demand previously created by the USPB in the Philippines through seminars, technical assistance and one-on-one meetings, Kuwahara and Synergy Asia staff worked on developing a local importer/distributor to supply various segments. As an example of the interest generated, last year, the USPB developed food service recipes in the Philippines and hired a famous local chef, Heny Sison of the Heny Sison Culinary School. As a result of the USPB hiring her to develop recipes and provide technical assistance to major companies, she has already written two articles on dehy, using the information provided to her by the USPB and learned from her experience. One article appeared in a bakery journal and the other in the Philippine Star newspaper, reaching a large number of readers. As the school also carries products to sell to their students and are interested in carrying US dehy, we are looking forward to them continuing to promote dehy once a local importer/distributor has been established. As a result of this trip, Dane International, a local importer is as excited as ever to import US dehydrated potatoes. Continuing partnerships and relationships is very important, as demonstrated by Dane International’s attendance at a USPB sponsored training mission approximately three years ago. Showing USPB support and working closely with the US dehy industry to follow up on this contact is very important. As a result, several US dehy processors have been in contact with Dane International and one has made plans to visit in September to further discuss how they can meet her dehy needs. Kuwahara remarked, “I am looking forward to establishing a new distributor in the Philippines so we can facilitate the demand for dehy we are experiencing. In the end, a new distributor supplying new sectors of the market means increased sales to US growers.” |
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©2007 United States Potato Board |
Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI), February 20-28, 2008. The Institute is an eight-day program designed to identify, develop and cultivate new leaders within the potato industry. Focusing on leadership development, public policy, marketing, trade, team building, public communication, presentation skills and more, Institute participants are selected through state organization nominations and a committee facilitated by the National Potato Council (NPC) and the USPB, who jointly coordinate the program. The Institute receives a major sponsorship from Syngenta, who has long been committed to leadership development in agriculture.