Japan's food firms turn to pest-proof potatoes

Major Japanese food makers are switching to a pest-resistant potato variety amid growing concerns about infestation.

Kewpie announced last week that its deli-food subsidiary plans to sell potato salad using the "Yumeikoro" variety from fiscal 2027.

This variety can thrive even in soil that contains a nematode that can cause severe damage to growth.

The Yumeikoro type is said to differ in flavor from the popular but less pest-proof Baron potato.

The company says it was able to make tasty potato salad with Yumeikoro by mixing it with mayonnaise.

The subsidiary says roughly 80 percent of the potatoes in its prepared foods are the pest-resistant variety. It will make a complete switch by 2030.

The Japanese government prohibits imports of raw potatoes in principle. But the United States is urging it to lift the ban.

This has prompted opposition from Japanese producers about the risk of the pest spreading.

Meanwhile, Japan's agriculture ministry is backing the promotion of the resistant variety, as the pest has already been found in the country.

A subsidiary of major snack maker Calbee also aims to fully switch to the resistant potato variety by 2035.