Mexico: "The government has bowed to pressure from certain potato importers."
"The cost of this decision will be the sacrifice of an entire productive sector, which has sustained the country’s food security for generations," said Kevin Gómez of the National Horticultural Corporation.
Potato producers stated that the government’s measure to eliminate phytosanitary requirements for the import of table and fresh potatoes from the United States will displace domestic production and pose a serious phytosanitary risk to domestic producers. They also emphasized that "the government has yielded to pressure from certain importers."
On March 4, the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) (notification G/SPS/N/CRI/308) that it will change the phytosanitary requirements for the entry of the tuber into the country and will allow the importation of fresh potatoes from the U.S., which had been suspended since 2012 due to phytosanitary measures in response to the risk of pests.
Kevin Gómez Garita, executive director of the National Horticultural Corporation, told UNIVERSIDAD that the measure will have multiple negative impacts, "from the displacement of national production to unemployment in rural areas and the recession of local economies."
Gómez emphasized that the country currently has a solid potato sector, which has historically supplied the domestic table potato market; however, in recent years, it has faced adverse weather conditions, which have reduced yields per hectare and caused a temporary shortage at the beginning of this year.
“Despite these difficulties, a bountiful harvest is projected for mid-year, the result of the sector’s efforts to fulfill its commitment to supply one of the most important products in the Costa Rican diet. The elimination of phytosanitary requirements threatens this recovery and puts the sustainability of national production at risk,” explained the agricultural economist.
According to data released today by the National Production Council (CNP), the suggested retail price per kilo of premium white potatoes at farmers’ markets is ¢2,796. For the week of December 9-15, it stood at ¢1,618 per kilo. Potato prices increased at the beginning of the year due to heavy rains at the end of 2024, which affected production and availability.
"It’s true that potato prices were high, which affected consumers. However, this didn’t mean much profit for producers, as the drop in yields due to weather factors meant prices barely offset the losses," Gómez stated.
Now the “Potato Route”
"The government has yielded to pressure from certain importers, just as potato imports for the industry have significantly increased," said Gómez.
The director of the corporation, which includes potato producers, emphasized that imported potatoes "remain stored for months, show physical damage, have been treated with anti-sprouting agents, and are sold with soil residue."
"Despite being exclusively intended for industrialization, it is entering the table potato market without any controls, posing a serious phytosanitary risk to domestic producers. This increases the possibility of soil contamination with quarantine pests, such as paratryosa ," he explained.
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