South Korea: 2016 Potato Update
2015 Korean potato production decreased eight percent to 546,000 metric tons (MT) from 591,000 MT in 2014. Although 2014 planted area was larger than 2015, it decreased more than 21 percent from 2013. Large production in 2013 suppressed domestic prices, thus plantings decreased in 2014. 2015 U.S. exports of fresh potatoes to Korea exceeded 22,000 MT, which generated $12.7 million in value, a 49 percent increase in quantity over 2014, as a result of increased demand for chipping potatoes. Comparing 2015 to 2012, U.S. exports of prepared potato products were 38 percent higher in value, primarily a result of reduced tariffs under the KORUS FTA.
