In 2012, Japan’s potato production increased by four percent to 2.43 million metric tons. Given this increased availability of domestic potatoes, imports of fresh potatoes declined slightly. However, imports of frozen potato products, particularly French fries, continued to be robust. A potential contraction in Japanese domestic potato production, expected to occur over the next decade, could present greater opportunities for imports, particularly U.S. potatoes, as they are highly valued in quality and price by Japanese users and consumers. Aggressive and strategic marketing activities by the U.S. potato industry have been instrumental in developing new demand in growth sectors.
