South Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency approved fresh potato imports from 11 additional U.S. states in January 2026, and has also eliminated seasonal tariffs on chipping potatoes under the KORUS free trade agreement. The expanded access represents a meaningful new export channel for U.S. growers.
Market access expansions like this matter for the fresh potato sector because they diversify export demand — and when domestic prices soften or supply runs long, having validated export markets helps absorb volume without cratering domestic pricing. The elimination of seasonal tariffs on chipping potatoes is particularly notable given the scale of that segment.
This development is worth tracking for buyers in distribution and foodservice who source large volumes of U.S. potatoes. If export demand to South Korea builds meaningfully over the second half of 2026, it could tighten domestic availability during peak processing periods.