Colorado Looks To Expand Potato Exports In Mexico

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado agriculture officials say they want to work on expanding the state's potato exports throughout Mexico.

Officials said Monday that Colorado already supplies about 44 percent of the fresh potatoes Mexico buys. But trade restrictions over sanitary concerns limit potatoes to only being imported to within 16 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mexico's new consul general joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Edward Avalos and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar at a press conference to talk about the issue. He says his country's bilateral relationship with the U.S. is one of the most important and his government wants to find a compromise to increase to potato exports.

Colorado's potato exports to Mexico are worth about $14 million a year but, if exports are expanded, they have the potential to reach $60 million.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)