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| HEADLINES (Click on headline for full story): | September 26, 2007 |
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ANTHONY FARMS RECEIVES 2007 GROWER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Anthony Farms, Scandinavia, WI, was honored recently with the Grower Achievement Award. MeisterMedia Worldwide’s American Vegetable Grower magazine initiated this award in 2004 for the purpose of honoring grower operations that have taken production agriculture to new levels of innovation, commitment to food quality and safety, and technological advancement. Anthony Farms has demonstrated innovative, consumer-oriented marketing through its successful implementation of the United States Potato Board’s (USPB’s) “Best In Class” (BIC) partnership with its retail customers. The Grower Achievement Award included an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. where Anthony Farms was honored with this recognition during the United Fresh Produce Association’s Public Policy Conference. US POTATO EXPORTS TOP $1 BILLION For the marketing year July 2006 – June 2007 (MY07), the USPB reports total US potato exports were valued at a record $1,000,252,000. On a volume basis, total exports were 1,108,391 metric tons (MT). This represents an increase over MY06 of 5% in volume and 13% in value. On a fresh weight equivalent basis, exports were equal to 52,174,591 hundredweight (cwt) of raw potatoes, representing roughly 15% of total potato production in the United States and continuing a five-year trend of increasing exports. The increase was led by exports of frozen potatoes which reached 679,510 MT, valued at $550 million and with a fresh weight equivalency of 25 million cwt. This is an increase in both volume and value of over 15% from MY06 and represents record levels of exports of frozen potato products. The top export market for frozen products continues to be Japan at 253,810 MT, which grew by 6% this past year. Other top export markets with their annual growth percentage are Mexico, 91,627 MT (2%); Canada, 80,266 MT (63%); China, 39,561 MT (31%); Taiwan, 31,642 MT (64%); Korea, 28,779 MT (-11%); and the Philippines, 28,328 MT (56%). It is interesting to note exports to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) countries grew 8% to a total of 45,007 MT. In most cases increases in US exports were due to overall expansion of consumption in the foreign markets, however, the US also benefited from short supplies in Europe to take market share away from the EU. Tight world supplies and high prices of dehydrated potatoes resulted in a slight decline of 2% in the volume of worldwide exports by all producers, but a 29% increase in value. US exports took advantage of reduced production in the EU and Australia to record a 6% increase in volume to 101,268 MT and a 32% increase in value to $143 million. These exports are equivalent to 15,637,805 cwt of raw potatoes. It is valuable to note the unit value of US dehy exports rose 25% from $1,135 to $1,414 per MT. Exports to the largest market, Mexico, actually declined 31% by volume, but were up 8% in value, as usage was impacted by decreased usage in fabricated chip production. The US continued to regain sales to Japan following the GM issues in 2001 to reach 18,413 MT, valued at $22 million in MY07. Other markets that showed good growth were China, Israel, the Philippines and Indonesia. Declining exports to Canada led to an 11% decline in the volume of fresh potato exports to 258,679 MT, valued at $125 million. However, the decline in value was only 2% due to higher prices for US potatoes. Canada still accounts for over 60% of US fresh potato exports, so the 14% decline in exports to this market had a big impact. Fresh exports to the second largest market, Mexico, were also off by 3% this past year as the 26 kilometer border area has become saturated with US potatoes. Further growth in this market will require increased market expansion through the changing of Mexican regulations which currently prevent US potatoes from going below the 26 kilometer frontier zone. Fresh exports of both table-stock and chip-stock potatoes to Asia were off 11%, as exports to Taiwan corrected from an unusually high level in MY06, due to an almost complete failure in local production that year. Exports to Korea increased 208% to 6,157 MT; while Malaysia took 20% more US potatoes and Japan imported 1,529 MT in just the second year of exports to this newly opened market.
TAKING US DEHY TO SOUTHEAST ASIAN CUSTOMERS USPB International Marketing staff is in attendance this week at the FIA Thailand Trade Show where the Board will have a very large booth and will be joined by two representatives each from North American Foods, LLC, and Idaho Pacific. Various food samples will be served throughout the USPB booth inviting interest and getting people to stop and learn more about what US dehy can do for them. Products using US dehy from the US, Japan, Korea and Mexico will be displayed. Noodles from Japan and mashed potatoes from Korea will be served in addition to other recipes. A USPB bakery seminar will be held, highlighting the healthy benefits of using dehy in Asian Sweet Bun applications. The use of US dehy can lower the amount of butter, sugar and eggs, thus making the product and bottom line healthier. This event is by invitation only, and Mike Fleming from Singapore/Cereal Tech will be the guest speaker. Simultaneous translation will be available for attendees. The USPB will also host a reception highlighting a variety of potato dishes. This is an event where the trade can see how versatile US dehy is, and will also allow USPB and process representatives to meet trade publications and, with the assistance of the USPB international representatives from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, introduce the Thailand Dehy Program. DEHYDRATED POTATOES BREAK INTO EXCITING NEW MARKET SEGMENT IN JAPAN!
WHITE POTATOES FEATURED ON MSNBC.COM AS ONE OF SEVEN SECRETLY HEALTHY FOODS From MSNBC.com http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20610558/?pg=3#Secretly_healthy_foods “Many believe potatoes are nutritionally anemic junk food loaded with carbs. That may be true of french fries, but a whole white potato is a different story. “Best ways to eat them: It’s the add-ons that do the damage. If you pick the right “accessories,” such as low-fat cottage cheese and snipped herbs or black beans and corn salsa, potatoes can become nutritional heavyweights. Try boiled potatoes diced and lightly brushed with olive oil, herbs and spices; mash them with the skins on; or bake and top with sautéed mushrooms and onions.” HEALTHY POTATO MESSAGE REACHES MORE THAN 11 MILLION READERS IN ONE MONTHLY MAGAZINE!
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©2007 United States Potato Board |
In May 2007, Kotobukiya Foods, a noodle company in Nagoya, Japan, developed Ramen noodles to be sold at retail. These noodles are a bit different, however, as they are more “chewy”, which is a characteristic highly valued by the Japanese consumer….and the “secret” ingredient happens to be US dehydrated potatoes! After receiving various US dehy potato samples from the USPB, Kotobukiya Foods developed this formulation and are now selling the noodles at local supermarkets. USPB international marketing representatives in Japan have been working very closely with importers and distributors to ensure the supply of dehy into new sectors and target audiences which greatly contributed to the success of this product launch. New products in new channels, such as these ramen noodles, are continually being launched throughout Japan, thus contributing to the overall increase of US dehy potato exports which reached 18,935 MT or 2,713,858 cwt. FWE this past marketing year (July 2006 – June 2007).
The October issue of Prevention magazine, the #1 healthy lifestyle magazine brand and the 10th largest magazine in the nation, with more than 11 million readers, recently touted the Healthy Potato Vitamin C and fiber messaging points in an “anti-aging” food feature story. Accompanying the article was a recipe for an Herb-Roasted Potato Medley