Fresh potatoes from the United States could potentially enter Japan’s markets this year as the authorities are assessing the quarantine risks and the concerns raised by Japanese potato farmers, according to a news report by NHK World. The Japanese authorities received a request from Washington regarding American potatoes which led to the ongoing assessment.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt of the NHK World report. Some parts in boldface…
Japan is taking steps that could lead to it fully opening its market to fresh US potatoes, following a request from Washington.
Japan bans imports of raw potatoes due to concerns over pests and disease, except for some sourced from the United States to be used exclusively for potato chips.
The agriculture ministry is currently assessing the quarantine risks posed by American potatoes, the third step in an 11-stage process before all restrictions can be lifted.
Officials plan to complete the risk assessment as early as this summer, and move on to identifying the pests and diseases that need to be dealt with.
Demand for fresh potatoes is rising in Japan, as domestic production has been on the decline.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan’s agriculture ministry will even allow full market opening to fresh potatoes from the United States? What do you think is the reason why Japan’s domestic production of fresh potatoes has declined?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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