Idaho® Potatoes Around The World #2

Newest Idaho® Potato Markets: Philippines, Taiwan

The Philippines and Taiwan have joined the lineup of Idaho® potato international markets, with fresh spuds hitting the shelves at leading supermarkets backed by in-store promotions and branding initiatives from the Idaho Potato Commission.

In the Philippines, an Idaho® potato branded delivery truck campaign is building awareness and demand as the U.S. spud launches at both retail and foodservice locations. Idaho® potatoes already are generating repeat orders at SM Supermarkets in Cebu City, the entry point for the national market. Shoppers ate up an innovative promotion featuring Idaho russet fries made with a straight-fry cutter stationed in the produce department.

IPC also worked with the popular Philippines restaurant chain Yakimix, known for pan-Asian fare and tableside smokeless grills, to introduce Idaho® potatoes in specially created recipes, including an original seasoning for freshly cut Idaho® potato wedges developed by Yakimix Executive Chef Ken Diao.

The Taiwan market opened with fresh Idaho® potato product in central Taiwan’s leading supermarket, Taiwan Fresh, supported by in-store promotions and branding initiatives. High-end hotel restaurants and supermarkets in Taiwan also rolled out premium fingerling potatoes from Idaho, and in November more than 130 chefs, importers and supermarket buyers participated in IPC chef training seminars and cooking demonstrations.

Fresh-cut Idaho® potato fry promotion at retail in the Philippines

IPC-sponsored chef training seminar at National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism in Taiwan

Hong Kong Digs Into Fresh, Dehydrated Idaho® Spuds

Hong Kong consumers now have more opportunities to purchase Idaho® potatoes with the addition of new product lines at three grocery retailers.

PARKnSHOP, Hong Kong’s leading supermarket chain, added dehydrated Idaho® potatoes to its fresh Idaho offerings, while Aeon Stores and Yata introduced fresh Idaho spuds with in-store promotions that were well-received by both customers and supermarket buyers.

The Idaho Potato Commission provided additional support to the Hong Kong market by hosting a September harbor cruise for key buyers and Idaho® potato importers from Southeast Asia who were in town for the Asia Fruit Logistica show.

Fresh Idaho® potato launch promotion at Aeon Stores in Hong Kong

Yata Hong Kong in-store promotion for new Idaho dehy potato products

Export Tip: Potato Export Workshop

Learn how to capitalize on the growing international markets for Idaho® potatoes at the Potato Export Workshop on Jan. 19, 2017, hosted by the Idaho Potato Commission, Idaho State Department of Agriculture and Idaho State University Research Center. The event, which will take place during the Idaho Potato Conference & Ag Expo in Pocatello, will start with a working lunch buffet at 12:30 p.m. and continue through to 4:00 p.m.

Topics will include:

• Global market assessment
• Managing financial concerns
• Mitigating risk, transportation and shipping
• Utilization of export brokers and distributors
• Requirements for shipping (phytosanitary certificate and/or import permits and more)

Please contact Traci Lofthus with any questions or comments.
Traci.Lofthus@potato.idaho.gov (208) 514-4228