Imports of fresh potatoes shot up by 28% last year in Japan, according to a new report by the USDA’s Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN).
That’s largely thanks to Japan’s own potato production slipping 3.5% in 2013 while Japense consumers increased their appetite for potato chips.
Aggressive and strategic marketing by the US potato sector has been key to spurring demand in growth sectors, GAIN said.
See its full report here.
pic: “McDonalds-French-Fries-Plate” by Evan-Amos