Korean Sweet Potatoes Cleared for U.S. Dinner Plates
Published Date: 3/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA has finished a study on the risks of bringing fresh sweet potatoes from South Korea into the U.S. mainland. They found that with certain safety steps, these imports won’t spread harmful pests or weeds. People and businesses involved in importing or selling sweet potatoes should check out the study and share their thoughts by May 12, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Possible U.S. Authorization for Korean Sweet Potatoes
APHIS determined that applying one or more designated phytosanitary measures could mitigate pest risks from fresh sweet potato roots from the Republic of Korea. If, after reviewing comments, APHIS' conclusions and the Administrator's determination remain unchanged, APHIS will authorize importation of fresh sweet potato roots from the Republic of Korea into the rest of the United States subject to the requirements in the risk management document.
Pest Risk Study Open for Comments
APHIS released a pest risk analysis and a risk management document for importing fresh sweet potato roots from the Republic of Korea and is asking the public to review them. You may submit comments through Regulations.gov or mail, and APHIS will consider comments received on or before May 12, 2026.
Guam and CNMI Authorization Unchanged
The notice clarifies that the potential U.S. authorization will not affect the current authorization for fresh sweet potato roots from the Republic of Korea into Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The current import status for Guam and CNMI remains in place.
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