Advancing Consumption, Shielding National Production: CONPAPA

Q: What have been CONPAPA's main achievements in terms of defending the national market, particularly regarding the phytosanitary standards and market access conditions for potato imports from the United States?

A: CONPAPA represents over 8,700 producers across 37 organizations nationwide. Since 1988, we have served as a technical and scientific bulwark for the sector, defending the national market and maintaining strict phytosanitary standards. One of our most significant historical achievements occurred during the original NAFTA negotiations, where we successfully demonstrated the asymmetries between Mexico and its trading partners. This resulted in a 272% tariff on fresh potatoes entering Mexico, an agreement still considered one of the most successful outcomes for the Mexican agricultural sector in international trade.

A major milestone in our defense was the definitive suspension secured in 2014 regarding fresh potato imports from the United States. This legal victory was based on the principle of in dubio pro natura, the prioritization of environmental safety. This restricted imported fresh potatoes strictly to the border region to prevent the spread of diseases into the rest of the country. The Supreme Court (SCJN) recognized this as a landmark ruling for agricultural law.

Since the borders opened to fresh imports in 2021, CONPAPA has focused on ensuring strict reciprocity and compliance with phytosanitary protocols. The primary risk lies in the fact that a fresh potato can be used as a seed. If an imported tuber carrying quarantine diseases is planted, it could contaminate Mexican soil and devastate not only potato production but also other solanaceous crops like tomatoes, chiles, and eggplants. Our role is to provide the technical evidence necessary to protect the country from these high-stakes biological risks.

Q: Mexico has not been able to successfully execute commercial potato shipments to the United States. What technical or policy barriers are currently preventing the execution of this trade access?

A: Although a work plan for fresh potato exchange between Mexico and the United States has existed since 2012, its implementation remains a significant challenge. The primary obstacle is that the plan was originally drafted based on the production and marketing conditions of the United States, which do not align with the operational realities of the Mexican agricultural sector. While Mexican authorities accepted the plan years ago, it remains more attuned to the needs and opportunities of our northern neighbor.

A critical technical limitation involves the use of anti-sprouting treatments. Under the current work plan, fresh potatoes must be treated to prevent them from being used as seeds. The specific chemical product required by the plan is standard in the United States but is not authorized for use in Mexico. This creates a regulatory impasse involving the Federal Commission for Protection Against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) and other national authorities. However, we recently secured a special, temporary authorization from the United States to use an alternative application method that is approved by Mexican phytosanitary authorities.

We are currently working through the necessary regulations, laboratory analyses, and sampling processes to ensure full compliance. Our objective is to begin exports during the 2026 Pacific season, which runs from February to May. This access is strictly conditioned on our ability to demonstrate consistent traceability, pest surveillance, and the certification of both fields and packing facilities.

For three years, we have sought entry into the United States market without success. Now, through close collaboration with the General Directorate of Plant Health in Mexico, we are optimistic that 2026 will mark the start of this new export project, finally achieving a level of reciprocity that honors the technical and sanitary efforts of Mexican producers.

Q: CONPAPA launched the APAPÁCHATE campaign with the goal of increasing per capita consumption by 20%. What are the core elements of this campaign and what is the current metric indicating its success?

A: The APAPÁCHATE initiative represents a strategic shift in our communication, moving beyond previous campaigns like Vamos a Papearnos and Papa Fresca Mexicana to connect emotionally with the heart of Mexico. This project aims to bridge the gap between the field and the table, sensitizing consumers to the labor of Mexican producers and day laborers. It is important to note that 85% of our sector consists of small and medium-sized producers who work the land with immense effort.

The campaign is designed to reconnect with consumers by highlighting the potato as a noble and versatile ingredient that evokes shared memories and emotions. Our primary goal is to increase consumption by 20%. This is a realistic target considering that Mexico currently has a per capita consumption of only 17kg, while the United States exceeds 70kg and many European nations surpass 80kg.

A central pillar of APAPÁCHATE is the deconstruction of nutritional myths. In Mexico, the potato is often unfairly labeled as a food that contributes to weight gain or lacks nutritional value. In contrast, other countries view the potato as a primary food source and even a superfood due to its energy content and nutritional density. We are focused on informing the public about the true benefits of the Mexican potato, emphasizing its quality and origin.

Measuring the success of such a campaign is complex. While we track social media engagement and interactions, physical consumption fluctuates based on regional climates and seasonal availability. High consumption can occur independently of a campaign due to market timing, which might suggest a lack of impact when that is not the case. However, our latest reports indicate a very positive trajectory in brand recognition and effectiveness. We view this as a medium-to-long-term strategy that will fundamentally revalue the Mexican potato in the eyes of the consumer.

Q: Potato production is mostly concentrated in northern states, making them more vulnerable to climate change effects like droughts. What technological or operational programs is CONPAPA implementing to shield its members against severe climate events?

A: At CONPAPA, we have been actively promoting the adoption of sustainable technologies, focusing on environmental conservation, efficient water management, and advanced agronomic practices. We are increasingly integrating biological products to control pests and diseases, ensuring that our interventions are both effective and environmentally responsible.

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our partnerships with organizations like Protection of Crops, Science and Technology (PROCCYT) and the United Nations Global Compact. Through these alliances, we facilitate webinars and training programs for producers on initiatives such as Campo Limpio (Clean Field), the implementation of biological inputs, and the responsible handling and conservation of pesticides. We believe that true sustainability begins with the social and labor conditions of our field workers, providing them with the necessary support before expanding into digital tools or high-tech irrigation.

Technological advancement is already a reality in the Mexican potato sector. While a significant portion of production in central Mexico, including states like Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Veracruz, remains rain-fed, over 90% of our irrigated surface now utilizes pressurized systems. These systems achieve water savings of more than 30% compared to traditional methods. By prioritizing these efficiencies, CONPAPA ensures that the production of the Mexican potato is aligned with a responsible and sustainable vision for the future of food.

Q: The USMCA 2026 review presents renewed uncertainty regarding regional content and labor standards. What priorities is CONPAPA presenting to the Mexican government to protect the sector's interests during this period?

A: For CONPAPA, it is essential that the USMCA review process facilitates the consolidation of a fair, balanced, and sustainable international framework. We require conditions of strict reciprocity to ensure that the commitments assumed between Mexico and the United States are fulfilled equally. It is unacceptable for regulations to be enforced selectively or for Mexico to be held to a higher standard of compliance than its trading partners. Our priority is the total protection of the national phytosanitary heritage.

In this regard, CONPAPA emphasizes the importance of preserving the strategic chapters of the treaty without modifications that could compromise Mexican interests. Specifically, we focus on National Treatment and Market Access to ensure the elimination of unjustified trade barriers. Furthermore, the Agriculture chapter must continue to promote trade free of undue non-tariff restrictions. These restrictions often manifest as attempts to modify work plans, such as the technical standards regarding potato sprouting or packaging, which are currently supported by rigorous scientific evidence.

The chapters on Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation are also vital, as they demand uniform, transparent, and predictable procedures. Regarding Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, the central objective is to guarantee that all decisions are based strictly on science rather than arbitrary criteria. Finally, Ch. 23 and 24, covering Labor and the Environment, are fundamental as they link trade with social and environmental sustainability. We have presented these priorities to the Mexican government to ensure they are defended during the upcoming negotiations in 2026.

Q: What are the main priorities CONPAPA aims to achieve in 2026, and what steps is the organization taking to strengthen national phytosanitary defense against import-related risks?

A: CONPAPA is paying close attention to potential modifications that might relax sanitary controls or increase regulatory costs without considering the productive reality of the Mexican agricultural sector. Experience demonstrates that the effectiveness of the disciplines outlined in Ch. 9 depends entirely on real-world implementation rather than just formal inclusion in the treaty. The 2026 USMCA review represents a critical opportunity to correct existing imbalances and ensure that rules are applied with equal force and rigor for all parties.

We are prioritizing the strengthening of the national phytosanitary system by consolidating technical capabilities and defending the domestic market against import-associated risks. This involves close collaboration with national authorities and organizations such as the National Phytosanitary Advisory Council (CONACOFI), PROCCYT, and the UN Global Pact. Our objective is to counter arguments for deregulation with scientifically backed evidence that justifies the mitigation of risks to Mexican soil.

Mexico is fully self-sufficient in potato production, with approximately 70,000ha under cultivation. We do not plant more because consumption remains the primary limiting factor. Whenever production slightly exceeds the equilibrium point for either the processing industry or fresh consumption, prices collapse. Currently, producers are facing a fractured market because overproduction has driven returns below investment costs. While we have the capacity and the technology to expand our surface area, we must first drive consumption through our strategic campaigns before growth becomes economically viable.

The national average yield has already seen a significant increase, rising from 25t/ha to between 34t/ha and 36t/ha. This growth is a direct result of implementing technologies that have made us more sustainable, responsible, and capable of delivering higher quality.

The potato is an extraordinary food with vital nutritional and energetic content. In 2008, the UN  Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) named it the food of the future because it produces more food per hectare with less water than almost any other major crop. Our consumers must recognize this value and see the potato as a key pillar of both our national food sovereignty and our nutritional security, which has even saved hundreds of millions from historic hunger.

The National Confederation of Potato Producers (CONPAPA) is the largest organization of potato producers in Mexico. Since 1988, the confederation has represented the sector before international and national instances. The organization represents 8,700 producers and 37 organizations across the country.