This linked video gives a feel for this ceremony and the excitement around the presence of U.S. chipping potatoes in China.
The display of U.S. potatoes drew large crowds from the 127,454 visitors to the Food & Hospitality China Shanghai Global Food Trade Show. Included in those viewing and admiring the U.S. potatoes were representatives from the four major chip manufacturers in China. They all expressed interest in learning more about U.S. chipping potatoes and in testing them in their plants.
China Shanghai Global Food Trade Show
Chipping potatoes from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington were granted access to China, after 20 years of work, as part of the Phase 1 U.S.-China agreement reached in January of 2020. Since that time, Potatoes USA has been promoting U.S. chipping potatoes in China.
China Shanghai Global Food Trade Show
There has been strong interest by the Chinese processors in testing U.S. potatoes; however, importing companies are still challenged by some of the requirements. The goal is that the importation of these trade show samples will provide additional incentive for these companies to try and overcome these challenges.