American potato growers are guardedly optimistic that chipping potatoes could be eligible for shipment to China as early as February 24, 2020.  The recent U.S-China trade deal has promised a “bonanza” of benefits according to U.S. ag secretary Sonny Perdue.

Market access protocol is yet to be negotiated according to Matt Lantz, vice president of global access, Bryant Christie Inc. The consulting company offers foreign government affairs services, including opening access to markets and counseling on regulatory compliance.

As reported by Washington Ag Network, Lantz said: “Now that we see this language in here, we anticipate that we will have a Chinese response to that and then we will have to go through that response and make sure that the market access agreement is viable for shipping. We need to make sure that what’s being asked of our growers and shippers is viable and commercially viable to do that. And so we anticipate that there will be a final round of negotiations in the coming two-three weeks.”

The provision is specific to chipping potatoes grown in the American northwest.

 Source:  Washington Ag Network January 23, 2020