New International Marketing Director to Boost Idaho® Potatoes' Global Growth

Idaho Native Traci Hiebert Sees Expanding Opportunities in Mexico, Asia, Latin America

EAGLE, Idaho, August 13, 2013—As the $186 million-plus fresh potato export market continues to grow an average of 9 percent annually, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) has stepped up its global marketing efforts with the addition of Traci Hiebert as the new IPC international marketing director.

“Idaho® potatoes command a premium even in countries that grow their own potatoes, and new international markets are continuing to open up regularly,” said Seth Pemsler, Vice President, Retail/International, IPC. “Traci will be drawing on her many years of experience in international marketing and business development to help the IPC tap into the most promising opportunities worldwide. We’re seeing strong potential in a number of countries that have recently opened their markets to U.S. potatoes, especially the Philippines, Panama and Colombia.”

Hiebert will be based in the Eagle office, where she will focus on driving Idaho® potato sales in both new and existing markets, such as Mexico and emerging markets in Asia and Latin America. “When Mexico completely opens to U.S. potatoes, that market is projected to grow fivefold, and Idaho is optimally positioned to capitalize on this opportunity due to our proximity and our knowledge of the customer base,” said Hiebert, an Idaho native who has spent nearly two decades launching and expanding consumer product lines in international markets.

Hiebert will work with IPC’s international offices for Mexico, Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America, which help facilitate connections among Idaho potato shippers and foreign trading partners, along with creating and executing marketing promotion programs and offering ongoing marketing support. Fresh Idaho® potatoes are currently shipped to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Vietnam.

For more information about the IPC’s international marketing programs, contact Traci Hiebert at Traci.Hiebert@potato.idaho.gov.

About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain–fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance. These ideal growing conditions are what differentiate Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states. For more information, visit: www.idahopotato.com.
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