Top Countries Importing American Potatoes (2026)

Mexico buys more American potatoes than any other country in the world. Japan comes next, then Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. Together these six markets take 77 percent of every US potato export, according to data compiled from the US Department of Commerce.

That kind of concentration matters right now. China and India have both ramped up their own potato exports and they’re eating into US market share across parts of Asia. At the same time, Mexico’s fry and fresh potato demand keeps climbing, which is reshaping where American growers put their energy and money.

This piece walks through each of the top buying countries, why they buy what they buy and what the trend lines look like heading into 2027. There’s a data table near the end for anyone who wants the numbers side by side.

Mexico Buys the Most and It Isn’t Close

Mexico is the single largest destination for American potatoes and honestly, the gap has been growing since 2022. That’s the year Mexico’s market opened fully to US potatoes nationwide, not just border areas.

The fresh potato trade alone is worth around $135 million a year, according to the National Potato Council. Fry exports have grown even faster. Frozen fry shipments to Mexico jumped 130 percent in recent years and now sit at roughly $319 million.

So what does that mean for a grower in Idaho or Washington? It means Mexico isn’t a side market anymore. It’s the anchor.

A produce distributor near Mexico City can now stock US russets alongside local potatoes almost year round. That kind of shelf presence took years to build.

Also read: How Climate Change Is Affecting U.S. Potato Production

Japan Buys Fries, Not Fresh Potatoes

Here’s the thing most people miss about Japan. It’s the second biggest US potato market by value, but Japan doesn’t import fresh table potatoes at all. Long standing pest concerns keep that door shut.

What Japan does buy is frozen french fries and a lot of them. US fry exports to Japan hit around $422 million last year, up 37 percent compared to six years earlier. Japan also imports potatoes for chipping, a market worth $20 million to $25 million that’s grown roughly 65 percent in recent years.

Industry groups have spent over a decade on a pest risk assessment that could finally open Japan to fresh potatoes. If that happens, some estimates put the new fresh market at $150 million or more. That would be Mexico’s 2022 breakthrough happening all over again, just on the other side of the Pacific.

Canada Stays Steady

Canada sits at third place and rarely makes headlines because the relationship is so consistent. Frozen potato exports to Canada rose about 10 percent in the most recent trade year tracked by Trade Data Monitor.

It’s worth noting Canada also ships a huge volume of potatoes into the US, so this trade runs both directions. Shared borders and short shipping routes keep costs down for both sides.

South Korea and Taiwan Are Growing Fast

South Korea and Taiwan don’t get the attention Mexico and Japan do, but the growth numbers stand out. Frozen exports to South Korea rose 11 percent and frozen exports to Taiwan rose 13 percent in the latest reporting period.

Taiwan’s fresh potato imports jumped 23 percent too, a rare bright spot for fresh exports in Asia. And that raises a fair question. Why is Taiwan bucking the regional slowdown other Asian markets are seeing? Rising demand for Western style fast food and a growing appetite for fresh produce in urban grocery chains both play a part.

The Philippines Rounds Out the Top Six

The Philippines still ranks in the top six, but it’s the one market on this list moving the wrong direction. Frozen exports there fell 26 percent recently, driven mostly by cheaper frozen potatoes flowing in from China and India.

That’s the pattern to watch across parts of Southeast Asia. Malaysia saw a similar drop of 9 percent in frozen potatoes and 37 percent in fresh potatoes for the same reason.

Also read: Potato Consumption Per Capita by Country

Top Six Markets at a Glance

Country	What They Mainly Buy	Recent Trend
Mexico	Fresh potatoes and frozen fries	Fry exports up 130%, now worth $319 million
Japan	Frozen fries and chipping potatoes	Fries worth $422 million, up 37%
Canada	Frozen potatoes	Up about 10%
South Korea	Frozen potatoes	Up 11%
Taiwan	Frozen and fresh potatoes	Frozen up 13%, fresh up 23%
Philippines	Frozen potatoes	Down 26% due to Chinese and Indian competition

Total US potato export value reached $2.3 billion across roughly 3.1 million metric tons in the most recent full trade year tracked by the US Department of Commerce. Frozen products, mostly fries, made up close to half that volume on their own.

What This Means Going Forward

Mexico and Japan aren’t going anywhere as the top two buyers and both still have room to grow. Mexico’s fresh market keeps expanding as more retailers stock US potatoes and Japan’s fresh market could open within the next couple of years if the pest risk work finally clears.

The bigger challenge sits in Southeast Asia, where Chinese and Indian potatoes are getting cheaper and closer to home. US exporters who want to hold ground there will likely need to compete more on quality and reliability than on price alone.

If you’re tracking this space, the real question isn’t which country buys the most today. It’s which market opens next and Japan’s fresh potato door looks like the one worth watching.

What Should Exporters Watch Next?

Several developments could shape U.S. potato exports over the next few years.

One of the biggest opportunities remains Japan. Although the country imports large volumes of frozen potato products, fresh U.S. potatoes still face phytosanitary restrictions. Any future progress on market access could create a significant new opportunity for American growers.

At the same time, demand for frozen potato products is expected to remain strong across Asia, Latin America and the Middle East as restaurant chains continue expanding and consumers purchase more convenience foods.

Another trend worth watching is investment in potato processing. As more countries increase domestic processing capacity, exporters may need to focus on premium products and stronger customer partnerships rather than competing on price.

Also read: Top Potato Exporting Countries Ranked by Value

What This Means for the U.S. Potato Industry

The latest trade figures show that the U.S. potato industry remains highly competitive despite growing global competition.

Mexico continues to lead as the largest export destination, while Japan, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines remain essential markets. Together, these six countries account for more than three-quarters of all U.S. potato exports, making them central to the industry’s long-term growth.

The bigger story, however, is the changing mix of products. Frozen potatoes now dominate export trade, while fresh potato exports continue to grow in selected markets. Exporters that focus on quality, dependable supply and market-specific strategies are likely to remain competitive even as new suppliers enter the global market.

For growers, processors and traders, the message is clear. Export success is no longer just about producing more potatoes. It is about supplying the right products to the right markets at the right time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Image credit: Potato Insights
Sources:

• U.S. Exports of Fresh, Frozen Potatoes Rose as Global Competition Increased Over July 2024-June 2025 Period — Potatoes USA
• How the Pursuit of Global Markets Is Yielding Results for Potatoes — The Packer

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