The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said that table stock potato sales would resume under science-based conditions.

The official paperwork should be complete early next month, ending a five-month period when Prince Edward Island (PEI) potatoes could not enter the province’s number one market.

U.S. border officials were instructed to reject shipments of PEI potatoes following the discovery of two cases of potato wart. The disease can reduce yields and makes potatoes unmarketable. PEI has had a disease management program since 2000 but there have been more than dozen cases over that period.

“Today’s news is important for PEI potato growers,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s agriculture minister. “I know the last few months have been incredibly difficult for potato farmers, producers, and everyone on the Island. This reopening comes at a critical time for the industry. Potato exports are essential for the livelihoods of so many Islanders, and I am confident that this decision by the U.S. will give farmers the predictability and assurances they need for the next potato growing season.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will work in collaboration with industry to implement the new export requirements for the U.S. in short order.

The PEI Potato Board issued the following response:

The temporary loss of the U.S. market has been very costly for PEI potato growers. Total sales in 2020 were nearly $477 million. Some PEI potatoes have been distributed to other domestic markets, but others had to be destroyed with the government providing compensation.