California Ag Network

Tag: export opportunities farmers

  • U.S. Participants for Philippines Trade Mission Selected

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a trade mission to Manila, Philippines, from April 13–16, 2026, to expand market access for American farmers, ranchers, and producers.

    This mission follows a landmark trade agreement negotiated by President Trump in July of last year, which opened new opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports to the Philippines. Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering will lead the mission, heading a delegation of 58 U.S. agribusinesses, trade associations, and representatives from four State departments of agriculture.

    “USDA is committed to getting American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses better access to strong markets and fair opportunities abroad,” said Deputy Undersecretary Bekkering. “Since the Philippines is one of the fastest-growing markets in Asia, this mission will connect U.S. exporters directly with reliable buyers, strengthen our trade relationship, and help keep American agriculture globally competitive.”

    The Philippines is the tenth‑largest market for U.S. agricultural and food products, averaging $3.4 billion in annual exports over the past five years. With a population of 118 million, a rapidly expanding middle class, and strong consumer preference for U.S. products, the Philippines offers enormous growth potential for American exporters.

    During the visit, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service staff and regional experts will host market briefings, site visits, and business-to-business meetings with buyers from the Philippines.

    State departments of agriculture from Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsin will join the mission alongside the 58 agribusinesses and trade associations, which include:

    1. 7th Sky Ventures LLC – Tampa, Fla.
    2. Aerocos International Ltd – Marlboro, N.J.
    3. American Egg Board – Chicago, Ill.
    4. American Peanut Council – Alexandria, Va.
    5. Best Buy Grocers, Inc. – Sherman Oaks, Calif.
    6. BNutty, Peanut Butter – Portage, Ind.
    7. California Milk Advisory Board – Tracy, Calif.   
    8. California Table Grape Commission – Fresno, Calif.
    9. CAS InterGlobal – Pleasanton, Calif.
    10. Commercial Creamery Company – Spokane, Wash.
    11. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin – Madison, Wis.
    12. Dragonfly Cakes – Tacoma, Wash.
    13. East-West International Group, Inc –   Moreland Hills, Ohio.
    14. Foodlinx – Brentwood, Calif.
    15. Fort McCoy Meat, LLC – Fort McCoy, Fla.
    16. Galdisa USA – Conroe, Texas
    17. Global Export Marketing Co. Ltd. (GEMCO) – New York, N.Y.
    18. Globex International – New York, N.Y.
    19. Groceries USA – New York, N.Y.
    20. Grove Services – Atlanta, Ga.
    21. Indiana Corn Marketing Council – Indianapolis, Ind.
    22. International Market Brands – Issaquah, Wash.
    23. Intervision Foods – Atlanta, Ga.
    24. Jack’s Alimentary Supply, Inc. (JASI) – Lowell, Mass.
    25. Kizable, LLC – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
    26. MacDonald Meat – Seattle, Wash.
    27. MEM Fairway Inc. – Irvine, Calif.
    28. Nebraska Corn Board – Lincoln, Neb.
    29. North American Export Grain Association – Washington, D.C.
    30. Ocean Gold Seafoods – Westport, Wash.
    31. Pacific Cheese Co., Inc. – Hayward, Calif.
    32. PacRim Wines & Spirits – San Rafael, Calif.
    33. Potatoes USA – Denver, Colo.
    34. Prime Pecan, LLC – Ocean Springs, Miss.
    35. Raisin Administrative Committee – Fresno, Calif.
    36. Scout & Zoe’s – Anderson, Ind.
    37. Sollarom Foods – Lakewood, Calif.
    38. Southern Forest Products Association – Metairie, La.
    39. Space Enterprises LLC – The Woodlands, Texas
    40. TAG Enterprise Ltd. – Beverly Hills, Calif.
    41. Tomex Foods Group – Lombard, Ill.
    42. Tranect LLC – Boston, Mass.
    43. Trinity Foods, Inc – San Diego, Calif.
    44. U.S. Dairy Export Council – Arlington, Va.
    45. U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council – Washington, D.C.
    46. U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council – Folson, Calif.
    47. U.S. International Foods LLC – St. Louis, Mo.
    48. U.S. Livestock Genetics Export – Mount Horeb, Wis.
    49. U.S. Meat Export Federation – Denver, Colo.
    50. U.S. Soybean Export Council – Chesterfield, Mo.
    51. U.S. Wheat Associates – Arlington, Va.
    52. United Dairy Ingredients Group LLC – Monterey Park, Calif.
    53. US Rice Producers Association – Katy, Texas   
    54. USA Poultry and Egg Export Council – Tucker, Ga.
    55. USA Pulses – Moscow, Idaho
    56. Valley Pride Ag Co. – Fresno, Calif.
    57. Virginia Distillery Co. – Lovingston, Va.
    58. Wonderful Citrus – Delano, Calif.

    In 2025, USDA trade missions connected more than 200 U.S. companies with buyers in Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan and Mexico, generating projected 12‑month sales of $125 million. USDA will continue expanding export opportunities in 2026 with upcoming missions planned for Australia and Vietnam.

    For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions. — By USDA Foreign Ag Service

  • USDA Announces Agribusiness Trade Missions for 2026

    As part of President Donald J. Trump’s unprecedented efforts to boost American agricultural exports, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment to expanding and diversifying global market opportunities for U.S. agriculture, USDA will host six Agribusiness Trade Missions in 2026.

    “Every single day, President Trump’s cabinet is breaking down barriers and expanding new markets to sell the bounty of American agriculture. Boosting exports is critical to the success of the agricultural economy, and the American economy as a whole. Each year, USDA’s team of marketing and trade experts pinpoint new and growing global markets that offer top-notch prospects for U.S. exporters,” said Luke J. Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. “This year, we are focusing those efforts on markets where President Trump has put America’s farmers and ranchers on an even playing field across the globe.”

    The Agribusiness Trade Missions scheduled for 2026 include:

    • Jakarta, Indonesia: February 2026
    • Manila, Philippines: April 2026
    • Istanbul, Turkey: May 2026
    • Australia and New Zealand: August 2026
    • Saudi Arabia: September 2026
    • Vietnam: November 2026

    USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Jakarta, Indonesia: February 2026

    Under the Trump administration’s agreement, Indonesia would eliminate tariffs on more than 99% of U.S. products and address long-standing barriers to U.S. agricultural trade, opening doors to expanded market access in the world’s fourth-largest country.

    USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines: April 2026

    In July, the Trump administration announced that the Philippines is opening its market to the United States and charging zero tariffs while the Philippines will pay 19 percent tariffs to the United States. 2026 also marks the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippines diplomatic relations.

    USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Istanbul, Turkey: May 2026

    This ATM will provide invaluable engagement opportunities to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, such as import bans on U.S animal protein. Turkey is also strategically positioned as a regional transshipment hub, with this ATM connecting U.S. exporters with buyers from across the Caucasus region.

    USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Melbourne, Australia: August/September 2026

    Following the Trump administration’s trade wins in Australia, U.S. producers will take advantage of major trade breakthroughs that give greater access to U.S. beef exporters, as well as capitalize on comprehensive duty-free market access under the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

    USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia: September 2026

    This ATM will allow USDA to engage with Saudi officials on technical issues and non-tariff barriers affecting U.S. agricultural exports to the 23rd largest export market. Saudi Arabia is the largest economy and gateway to the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) which together import over $3 billion in U.S. agricultural exports annually.

    USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Vietnam: November 2026

    USDA maintains a large footprint in Vietnam working to increase market opportunities for U.S. producers in one of the fastest growing Southeast Asian economies. This ATM to Vietnam will capitalize on several key market wins including preferential access for certain U.S. agricultural products including specialty cheese and meats, as well as improved market access for U.S. peaches and nectarines.   

    Additional information about USDA trade missions can be found at https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions. To receive email updates, go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/usdafas/subscriber/new, enter your contact information, and select the “Trade Missions” topic. — USDA Foreign Agricultural Service