Ban lifted four years after the detection of pale cyst nematodes in the state

By DAVE WILKINS

Capital Press

South Korea has lifted its ban on Idaho potatoes except for the two counties where pale cyst nematodes have been confirmed since 2006.

The ban remains in effect in all of Bonneville and Bingham counties in eastern Idaho, two of the top spud-producing counties in the state. About 1,400 acres in the two counties remain under federal quarantine.

Industry officials welcomed the reopening of the Korean market to most of the state.

"Obviously we're very pleased," Frank Muir, president of the Idaho Potato Commission, said in an interview.

Several organizations, including the National Potato Council and the U.S. Potato Board, helped the state regain market access, he said.

"This has been a long process," Muir said. "It's taken some persistent effort."

Pale cyst nematodes, a tiny worm-like insect, were found in a few fields in Eastern Idaho in early 2006. The insects don't pose any risk to human health, but can cause significant yield losses in infested fields.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service quickly quarantined the area and began an extensive soil sampling program in cooperation with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. More than 267,000 soil samples have been taken in the past four years.

All soil surveys outside the nine known infested fields have been negative and efforts continue to eradicate the pest.

Within a year of imposing a ban, Mexico and Canada reopened their borders to Idaho potatoes outside of the regulated area.

Japan remains the only major export market that hasn't lifted its ban.

Idaho was just beginning to ship fresh shipments to Korea when the nematode discovery slammed the door shut.

"In many respects it's a new market for us," Muir said.

Idaho growers see an opportunity to export chipping stock potatoes to Korea where domestic production can't keep up with demand.

Chip processors in Korea "run out of domestic supply part way through the year, and need to bring in outside product," Muir said.

Eventually, Idaho grower-shippers hope to export table stock spuds to Korea as well, he said. They've already gained a foothold in high-end restaurants, hotels, casinos and supermarkets in Macau, Hong Kong and Singapore, and will likely target the same type of markets in Korea's major cities.

Industry officials in Idaho are hopeful that Korea will eventually allow potato shipments from all areas of the state outside the quarantine area.

Bingham County harvests more potatoes than any other county in Idaho and more than most states. Production in 2008 was 19 million hundredweight.