The National Potato Council and 13 state potato organizations sent a letter to the USDA on May 18 asking the agency to reinstate a ban on fresh potato imports from Prince Edward Island, Canada. The push comes after a new detection of Potato Wart disease was found in a previously unregulated field on the island.
Potato Wart is a soil-borne fungal disease with no cure that can survive in soil for decades. The USDA had previously banned PEI imports over the same disease concern before lifting restrictions — and U.S. growers argue this new detection proves the risk hasn't been eliminated. PEI is one of Canada's most significant potato-producing regions and a meaningful supplier to the U.S. market.
Watch for USDA's response closely. A reimposed ban would tighten domestic supply, particularly in the Northeast, and could push prices higher heading into summer. This is a live regulatory situation that could move fast.