Welcome back to “Export Impact.” In this post, we further explore the impactful work of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. Building on the positive feedback from our inaugural post, we are excited to dive deeper into agricultural exports. As USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, my mission remains focused on ensuring U.S. farmers and agribusinesses have every opportunity to succeed globally. Through strategic engagement, targeted trade missions, and ongoing collaboration with State and Federal partners, we are expanding the reach of American agriculture while driving growth for our rural communities. I am also pleased to share updates from 2 noteworthy events: the U.S. Trade Mission to Colombia and the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth. 

Enhancing U.S. Agricultural Exports to Colombia
I recently had the pleasure of leading a trade mission to Bogotá, Colombia, with 23 U.S. agribusinesses and organizations. 
My interactions with officials from the Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Texas Departments of Agriculture underscored the crucial role State-level partnerships play in promoting U.S. exports. These stakeholders were instrumental in connecting U.S. agribusinesses with Colombian buyers, opening doors for future trade deals.

Addressing Global Challenges and Promoting Diversity in Agriculture
Shortly after my return from Colombia, I had the honor of speaking at the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth. My remarks focused on 2 key areas: diversifying U.S. agricultural exports and expanding market opportunities for specialty crops and underrepresented producers. One highlight of the summit was the focus on USDA’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), which is investing $1.2 billion to promote U.S. agricultural products in existing and emerging markets.

The Power of Trade to Drive Innovation
A clear theme resonated at both the Colombia Trade Mission and the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth: the power of trade to drive innovation and create opportunities. Trade is not only about selling products; it is about building relationships, fostering collaboration, and encouraging the exchange of innovative ideas and technologies. Whether it is developing more sustainable farming practices or finding new markets for emerging products, trade opens doors that lead to long-term growth. Through ongoing partnerships with foreign governments, international organizations, and U.S. State and Federal agencies, USDA is working tirelessly to break down trade barriers and create new opportunities for American farmers. We aim to maintain U.S. agriculture's global leadership by not only promoting our traditional commodities but also fostering innovation and new product development.

I am grateful for the partnerships and insights gained from the Colombia Trade Mission and the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth. Together, we will continue to champion American agriculture on the global stage, ensuring that U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses remain at the forefront of international trade.

Alexis M. Taylor
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, Features (Oct. 29, 2024)

Porcine semen is now eligible to be exported to South Africa from the United States. This opens a growing market where U.S. exporters can now compete with genetics from Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, and Ireland. The pig breeds that are currently found in South Africa include Landrace, Large white, Chester white, Duroc, Hampshire, Large black, Kolbroek, and Pietran. In 2023, South Africa imported $166,000 in porcine semen.

The full report can be viewed here.

Source: USDA-FAS GAIN Report (Oct. 22, 2024)