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Combine the United States’ diverse geography, exceptional technical expertise, and a solid commitment to quality and you get an ever-expanding selection of the best varieties and certified seed potatoes available. On top of that, Potatoes USA provides technical assistance for U.S. customers to ensure they get the most out of their U.S. seed potatoes.
Successful potato production starts with high-quality seed potatoes. Strict quality standards are ensured via the United States’ seed certification program. Federal and state government inspectors carefully monitor and regulate growing practices, ensuring that the best disease management and production techniques are followed. A key factor in U.S. seed quality is the U.S.’ “limited generation system” in which a seed lot is kept in the production cycle for no more than five years to limit disease build-up.
Certified U.S. seed potatoes are grown in 16 states where the climate is ideal for seed potato production. Long, cold winters kill insects and diseases that reduce seed potato quality. Long, sunny days and cool nights during the growing season lead to vigorous plants and high yields. Many of the seed growing regions are isolated from other commercial production, further ensuring healthier seed potatoes.
All seed that is exported also meets U.S. seed potato export standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is guaranteed to meet the U.S. No. 1 Seed Potato Grade.
U.S. growers produce hundreds of varieties of seed potatoes. The United States cultivates a seed potato to suit every growing condition and every end product from table-stock to chips to frozen fries. Additionally, the USDA has numerous public breeding programs through which disease and pest-resistant varieties are constantly being developed. Although Potatoes USA does not engage directly in commercial seed exports, it does conduct variety trials in numerous markets for many varieties and may be able to provide information about various varietys’ performance in your region.
The Export Guide and Variety Cards are available for download in English and Spanish.
