By DAVE WILKINS

Capital Press

Japan has opened the window of opportunity for U.S. potato exports a bit wider, expanding the shipping season from five months to six.

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced last month that U.S. chipping stock potatoes would be accepted from February through July. Previously, shipments were allowed from February through June.

Growers in the Pacific Northwest don't start harvesting potatoes until about mid-July, which would be too late to take advantage of the one-month extension, said Matt Harris, director of trade for the Washington State Potato Commission.

However, states such as California and Florida, which harvest potatoes in spring and early summer, should be in much better position to take advantage of the expanded market window.

"I think that's where we'll see some benefit," Harris said. "It will help those producers who have the ability to deliver product earlier."

Even though Northwest growers may not benefit very much directly, it will help the U.S. potato industry as a whole by reducing the overall supply of potatoes, Harris said.

Industry leaders are hopeful that Japan will eventually expand the export window on the front end, allowing shipments to begin in January rather than February.

Such an extension would more directly benefit Northwest grower-shippers, Harris said.

Japanese potato chip makers requested the one-month extension of the shipping season, and U.S. agriculture officials urged the Japanese government to grant it, industry officials said.

Japan allows chipping stock imports only during certain times of the year when domestic potato supplies run short.

Domestic spud supplies have been especially short this year. Additional U.S. shipments could keep Japanese potato chip plants running during the crucial summer months.

Exports of U.S. chipping stock potatoes to Japan reached a record 1,909 metric tons last year, according to the U.S. Potato Board. The 88 containers all arrived in Hiroshima during July 2010 and were processed.

Japan does not allow fresh U.S. potatoes for the table stock market.

Increased market access has been a major objective for the USPB, the National Potato Council and state potato organizations.

Current target markets for chipping stock exports are Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Central America.