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Japan advances quarantine review for US fresh potatoes
Japan
Friday 25 September 2026
VU
MAFF has completed the pest-risk assessment stage, identifying 21 pests that may require additional safeguards before wider market access is considered.
Japan has moved its review of US fresh potatoes for general distribution into the risk-management stage, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
The ministry confirmed the update, but no decision has yet been made to lift current import restrictions.
21 pests need further safeguards
MAFF initially reviewed around 300 pests potentially associated with US potatoes and selected 54 for closer assessment.
Of these, 33 were found manageable through standard inspections or considered negligible risks. The remaining 21 may require additional measures, which Japan will now discuss with the US.
Wider access still under review
The US requested access for fresh potatoes for general distribution in 2020. Japan already permits US fresh potatoes for potato-chip processing under controlled conditions.
In fiscal 2024, the US supplied about 702,000 tonnes of potatoes to Japan on a fresh-weight equivalent basis, accounting for 58.2% of imports. Around 39,000 tonnes were fresh potatoes for chip production.
source and photo: maff.go.jp
