Canada is Largest Frozen Potato Exporter

WASHINGTON - Apr 7/04 - SNS -- Canada has retained its title as the world's largest frozen potato exporter, a status it captured from the United States in 1998.

Between 1997 and 2003 Canadian exports more than doubled, EU exports increased an estimated 50%, and U.S. and other key countries’ exports remained flat, notes the USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) in a review of the sector.

The Canadian share of world exports of frozen potato products grew moderately over the last 5 years, while the U.S. share fell sharply, and all other key exporters’ shares remained fairly stable. Specifically, U.S. shares of world exports of frozen potato products dropped from 42% in 1997 to 29% in 2002, the FAS said.

The global trend of healthier diets is expected to limit production and export expansion of frozen potato products in most countries, except China, over the next few years.

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