U.S. Potato Growers Seek Trade Probe Into Canada

The National Potato Council has formally asked the Office of the United States Trade Representative to launch a Section 332 fact-finding investigation into Canadian trade practices that may be limiting U.S. potato exports. In a letter to Chief Agricultural Negotiator Ambassador Julie Callahan, the group said long-standing trade barriers are costing U.S. growers millions and need immediate federal review. The request focuses on British Columbia’s anti-dumping duties on U.S. fresh potatoes, first imposed in 1984 and tightened again in July 2025. The council also cited broader competitive challenges in the Upper Midwest, including currency exchange rates, freight advantages, and Canadian government programs. North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan growers are seeing increased market pressure, prompting the council to seek a clear set of facts from the U.S. International Trade Commission before any further trade action.