ALASKA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING, INC. SALES

1996 - 2006



1996
2 containers seed potatoes (40 tons) - China
660 # seed potatoes - Taiwan

1997
17,205 # seed potatoes - China
(Shipments to China were made in 1996 and 1997 through a special permit from the Port of Dalian,
Liaoning Province, China. These arrangements were cancelled by China in 1998.)

1998
2 containers seed potatoes (40 tons) - Taiwan
2 containers tablestock (40 tons) - Taiwan
(The second shipment of two containers was delayed in Dutch Harbor because
of severe weather, missed the import window in Taiwan, and was returned.
Taiwan paid for the shipment, however, and it was replaced in 1999.)

1999
1.5 containers seed potatoes (30 tons) - Taiwan
2 containers tablestock (40 tons) - Taiwan
1 container carrots (30,160 #) - Taiwan
1000 # baby red potatoes - Taiwan
15 giant cabbages (35 # each) - Taiwan


2000
No sales. (A portion of tablestock shipped in 1999 arrived in Taiwan in
poor condition because the potatoes were not dried properly before being packed in cardboard boxes.
This spoilage discouraged orders from Taiwan in 2000. Relationships had to be rebuilt for successful sales in 2001.)


2001
2 containers seed potatoes (40 tons) - Taiwan
1 container tablestock (20 tons) - Taiwan


2002
No sales. (In 2002 the government in Taiwan changed and new government
officials were not favorably oriented to receiving potatoes from Alaska.
Relationships had to be rebuilt again for successful sales in 2003.)


2003
2 containers seed potatoes (40 tons) - Taiwan
1 container tablestock, cabbage, giant cabbage, and broccoli stalks (20 tons) - Taiwan
Test marketing cut salad - Taiwan


2004
1 container seed potatoes (20 tons) - Taiwan
1 container seed potatoes (20 tons) - China


2005
10 tons seed potatoes - Taiwan


2006 as of 03-01-06
10 tons seed potatoes - China

This chronology indicates that the production, processing, and shipping of seed potatoes for export involves problems that must be overcome for routine shipments to take place. For example, improvements are necessary to maintain proper temperature and humidity in storage and in shipment. The least expensive shipping routes must be determined. As shown above, shipping through Dutch Harbor was not successful.

Additional problems arise because of specific requirements for imports set by foreign governments. For example, a major criterion established by the government of Taiwan is that seed potatoes shipped to Taiwan must be free of soil. This requirement is because of the fear of importing soil-borne diseases to Taiwan. Nevertheless, while tablestock potatoes for consumption are generally washed, seed potatoes are not washed because the application of water makes them more susceptible to spoilage during storage and shipment.

Therefore, Alaska Agricultural Development & Marketing, Inc., has worked toward developing a system to brush soil from seed potatoes.

This system involved the purchase of a potato-brushing machine by the corporation that was used to clean the seed potatoes shipped to Taiwan in 2003. The brushing machine worked satisfactorily in that Taiwan customs officials accepted the seed potatoes. However, the brushing created some skin damage that led to limited spoilage during shipment. The next step is to work out procedures including improved suberization prior to brushing and the possible use of air jets to assist in removing soil particles.

The shipments to Taiwan and China by the corporation since 1996 led to negotiations to define phytosanitary requirements for importation of potatoes into these countries. Because seed potatoes from Alaska are laboratory tested for diseases, the government of Taiwan now recognizes Alaska as the only source eligible to ship seed potatoes to Taiwan. In addition, negotiations between USDA and China in 2003 resulted in the government of China opening its doors to shipments of seed potatoes from Alaska.