United States Seed Potato Exports Surge as Latin American Markets Open Up
U.S. seed potato exports are gaining new momentum across Central and South America, with Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, and Uruguay emerging as fresh growth markets, according to Potatoes USA. The latest development marks a significant advance in the industry’s long-term efforts to expand market access and strengthen the region’s supply of certified seed.
Cuba has officially registered the U.S. variety Golden Globe, following a successful trial that yielded strong results. The move paves the way for commercial sales and positions Cuba to become the largest U.S. seed potato market in the Americas outside of Canada. Over the past five years, the country has imported an average of more than 15,000 metric tons of seed potatoes annually, but strict entry requirements have slowed approvals.
In November 2024, three U.S. varieties—Allegria, Soraya, and Golden Globe—were shipped to Cuba for evaluation. The trial, planted in early January and harvested in April 2025, showed promising yields across all three cultivars. Potatoes USA noted that faster planting times and earlier growing seasons could further enhance performance. Cuban authorities have already expressed interest in registering Soraya after the next harvest season in 2026.
Beyond Cuba, U.S. seed potato exports to Central and South America rose 61% between July 2024 and March 2025, driven by renewed demand for the fresh market segment. Panama, Nicaragua, and Uruguay all resumed imports for the first time since the pandemic. Uruguay, which had relied on French-sourced Red Magic, turned to U.S. suppliers amid production issues in Europe, while Panama and Nicaragua expanded purchases of Soraya and Golden Globe, respectively, following positive results from 2023 variety trials.
Potatoes USA plans to sustain this momentum through new trials and registrations across the region. Upcoming initiatives include expanding into the Dominican Republic’s fresh market segment and continuing variety registration in Honduras, where the Sound cultivar—an oblong, pale-yellow potato noted for its late blight resistance—has drawn commercial interest from major retailers including Walmart.
According to Potatoes USA, the organization’s trial and promotion programs are designed to support long-term export growth by demonstrating U.S. seed quality, adaptability to local conditions, and yield stability.
