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On January 23, 2026, South Korea approved market access for U.S. table stock and chipping potatoes from 11 additional states, marking a major milestone for the U.S. potato industry.
The newly approved states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Potatoes from these states may now be shipped to South Korea from registered and approved packing facilities. This expansion builds on long-standing access for table stock and chipping potatoes from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, which has been in place for more than 20 years.
A Significant Industry Achievement
This approval represents an important advancement following nearly two decades of work led by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in close collaboration with Potatoes USA, the National Potato Council, state potato commissions, and Bryant Christie Inc.
Key Shipping Requirements
Export requirements for the newly approved states—as well as the Pacific Northwest—are outlined in the official export summary document. Key program elements include:
- Use of certified seed from approved seed states (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, or Montana)
- Psyllid trapping and testing for zebra chip
- Documented grower IPM practices
- Fry testing for table stock potatoes
- Use of CIPC in accordance with defined specifications
- Registration of packing sheds
Shippers are strongly encouraged to review the full requirements carefully and confirm that export facilities are properly registered and fully compliant prior to shipping.
Upcoming Registration Window
Potatoes USA will soon open the annual packing house registration process for shippers interested in exporting to South Korea from approved states. This registration will also apply to the Japan and China chipping potato export programs.
For questions or additional information, please contact Adam Hollowell, Bryant Christie Inc. at ad************@************ie.com.
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