California Ag Network

Tag: FAS

  • Opportunities for CA Tree Nuts & Dairy in Upcoming Trade Mission to Mexico

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is now accepting applications for its upcoming agribusiness trade mission to Mexico City, Mexico, scheduled for November 3–6. U.S. exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in Mexico’s dynamic agricultural market must apply by Thursday, July 31.

    “Strengthening export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses is a top priority of USDA,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering. “This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in Mexico, expanding economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity, and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.”

    Mexico was the largest export market for U.S. agricultural products in 2024, with sales totaling more than $30 billion, supporting approximately 190,000 U.S. jobs. Agricultural trade between the United States and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) reached nearly $79 billion in 2024 and has shown consistent growth over the last decade.

    To ensure the protection of U.S. livestock herds, in June, Secretary Rollins launched a Bold Plan to combat New World Screwworm (PDF, 434 KB) by protecting our border at all costs, increasing eradication efforts in Mexico, and increasing readiness. USDA also announced the groundbreaking of a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas. This facility will provide a critical contingency capability to disperse sterile flies should a NWS detection be made in the southern United States.

    Growing U.S. exports to Mexico are supported by factors such as rising disposable income among Mexico’s upper middle class, familiarity with U.S. products and food trends, and strong demand for high-quality agricultural goods.

    Consumer-oriented products represent the largest share of U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico and have increased by more than 75 percent between 2020 and 2024. USDA anticipates strong export opportunities across several product sectors, including:

    •Beef, poultry, and related products

    •Dairy products

    •Seafood

    •Tree nuts

    •Pet food

    •Baking and food processing ingredients

    Additional opportunities exist for U.S. products such as animal feed, rice, pulses, seed potatoes, and livestock genetics.

    During the trade mission, U.S. agribusiness representatives will connect directly with buyers from Mexico City and surrounding regions through business-to-business meetings, market briefings, site visits, and networking events led by FAS staff and regional experts.

    For more information or to apply, see the Mexico Agribusiness Trade Mission webpage. The application deadline is Thursday, July 31, 2025.

    The Mexico trade mission is part of USDA’s broader 2025 export promotion strategy. Recent trade missions to Thailand, Guatemala, Hong Kong, and Peru have delivered measurable success for U.S. exporters. Applications are now closed for the trade mission to Taiwan. To learn more about FAS agribusiness trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

  • Ginning up a Market for U.S. Cotton in Bangladesh

    USDA Foreign Ag Service — For almost 50 years, Bangladesh required U.S. cotton be fumigated because of concerns about the boll weevil. Collaboration between USDA agencies and the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture resulted in amended import requirements, exempting the United States from the list of countries required to fumigate cotton upon arrival.

    This is a significant trade win for American cotton as Bangladesh is the fifth-largest export market for U.S. cotton, with export values exceeding $339 million in 2023. This decision gins up a new chapter for U.S. cotton growers to expand their market access to Bangladesh. As one of the world’s top import markets for cotton, Bangladesh is a growth market with great potential for American cotton for years to come.

    FAS worked diligently to improve perceptions of U.S. cotton and provide evidence that the boll weevil is not a serious threat to imports. Momentum spun up when FAS provided significant technical evidence on the near total eradication of the boll weevil back in 2021 to ease Bangladesh’s concerns over the pest. Following that, FAS spent two years meeting with Bangladesh officials, including a High-Level Economic Consultation and an Agriculture and Ease of Business meeting.

    The Cotton Council International (CCI) continued bilateral efforts, bringing a Bangladesh delegation to visit U.S. cotton facilities and farmers in November 2022. The delegation witnessed the effectiveness of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. Also, during the visit, the delegation learned about modern cotton harvesting and standardized ginning techniques while touring cotton fields, gins, and warehouses in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

    This is an example of American farmers showcasing high quality agricultural products to an overseas market – a crucial element to growing American exports. U.S. cotton farmers not only utilize the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Boll Weevil Eradication Program to eliminate the pest, but the program also helps thousands of U.S. cotton growers become more competitive. Additionally, the CCI receives FAS Market Access Program funds to help grow overseas markets for American cotton growers.

    This success is a testament to the continued efforts and nearly 22 years of engagement among the U.S. cotton industry, FAS, APHIS, and Agricultural Research Service officials, and the Government of Bangladesh to advocate for fair and open trade practices that benefit American farmers and businesses.

  • Eleven New Ag Officers Sworn into Foreign Service

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor administered the oath of office today to 11 employees of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service who will serve American agriculture internationally as members of the Foreign Service, including three from California.

    At U.S. embassies and diplomatic missions on five continents, diplomats begin their careers as agricultural attachés, where they will track and report on global agricultural production and commerce, find export opportunities, improve food security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

    “I am extremely proud of this diverse group of diplomats who completed their rigorous training and will now serve on the frontlines of agricultural diplomacy,” Taylor said. “These talented officers will strengthen our Foreign Service as they begin their work protecting and advancing the interests of U.S. agriculture, which today is more crucial than ever as the world’s agricultural trade grows more competitive and dynamic.”

    The officers sworn in today are:

    • Craig Elliot from Petaluma, Calif., assigned to the OAA in Tokyo, Japan.
    • Erica Summe from Florence, Ky., assigned to the ATO in Tokyo, Japan.
    • Harrison Grafos from Spokane, Wash., assigned to the OAA in Dubai, UAE.
    • Joanna Brown from Washington, D.C., assigned to the OAA in New Delhi, India.
    • Jadon Marianetti from San Jose, Calif., assigned to the OAA in Beijing, China.
    • James Yi from Philadelphia, Pa., assigned to the OAA in Hanoi, Vietnam.
    • Lita Echiverri from San Francisco, Calif., assigned to the FAS Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Mexico City, Mexico.
    • Rishan Chaudry from Pullman, Wash., assigned to the OAA in Ankara, Turkey
    • Shoshana Griffith from Seattle, Wash., assigned to the OAA in Seoul, South Korea.
    • Tacarra Birmingham from Chicago, Ill., assigned to the FAS Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) in Ottawa, Canada.
    • Victoria Dokken from Deltona, Fla., assigned to the ATO in Beijing, China.

    More information about FAS and its work to advance U.S. agricultural interests around the globe is available at www.fas.usda.gov.

    USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

  • USDA Accepting Applications for Chile Agribusiness Trade Mission

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from U.S. exporters for a trade mission to Santiago, Chile.

    During the week of September 25-29, U.S. agribusinesses will participate in business-to-business meetings with potential importers from both Chile and Peru. The trade mission will coincide with the USDA-endorsed Espacio Food and Service trade show, Chile’s major food show and a significant gateway to the Latin American market, offering additional networking opportunities for U.S. participants.

    “This year we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of U.S.-Chile diplomatic relations and today Chile and the neighboring Peru are some of our key trading partners, representing the second and third largest agricultural markets in South America,” said FAS Administrator Daniel B. Whitley. “With the Espacio Food and Service trade show taking place at the same time, the upcoming trade mission to Santiago provides a unique opportunity to expand U.S. agricultural exports to Chile and Peru even further.”

    In addition to conducting business-to-business meetings, the trade mission participants will also have an opportunity to receive detailed market briefings from FAS staff and local and regional industry experts. The event will include receptions and other opportunities to network, engagements with USDA leadership, and relevant site and retail visits in Santiago and the surrounding area.

    Total agricultural exports to these markets have grown significantly since the establishment of the Chile Free Trade Agreement and the Peru Trade Promotion Agreements and exceeded $2 billion in 2022. In January – April 2023, U.S. agricultural exports to Chile have increased by 4 percent compared to the same period in the prior year. The region offers a modern and dynamic food retail sector as well as relatively high per capita incomes and purchasing power. Strong opportunities exist for exporters across many sectors, including but not limited to:

    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Animal protein
    • Cheese
    • Consumer-oriented products
    • Dog and cat food
    • Ingredients for processing
    • Tree nuts
    • Wheat

    To apply, please complete the Santiago, Chile Agribusiness Trade Mission Application. The deadline to apply for the Chile trade mission is Wednesday, July 5th.

    This is the fourth USDA trade mission of 2023. FAS will also be leading trade missions later this year to Malaysia/Singapore and Angola. To learn more about the USDA trade missions, visit: Trade Missions | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

  • U.S. Exporters Build New Partnerships During Ag Trade Mission to Japan

    June started off on a high note at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, with the USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor leading the U.S. delegation on an agribusiness trade mission to Japan on June 5-9.

    “Leading a trade mission is always a great honor and I was very pleased to showcase the quality and diversity of U.S. food and agricultural products,” said Taylor. “This delegation was incredibly robust, bringing together representatives from 11 state departments of agriculture, 11 cooperators, a representative from the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association, and a diverse group of U.S. exporters looking to establish new business partnerships with Japanese importers.”

    While in Japan, Under Secretary Taylor met with leadership from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. United States and Japan enjoy a strong bilateral trade relationship and these meetings allowed the two sides to discuss strengthening this relationship even further, expanding biofuels export markets, and strengthening food safety.

    Throughout the week, the participants learned about Japanese consumers and how to do business in Japan. More than 400 business-to-business meetings were held, providing U.S. exporters with opportunities to establish strong connections with their new business partners in Japan. Companies that joined this trade mission provided a strong display of strength and breadth of U.S. food and agriculture industries, showcasing products including grains, pork, fruit, berries, coffee, tea, and distilled spirits.

    “Over the years we have found that the trade mission format is very beneficial and is a great use of time and resources,” said Jake Robinson, an Intertribal Agricultural Council member, who represented products from Red Lake, Inc., owned by the Red Lake Nation. “Trade missions are vital events for increasing our export footprint and provide excellent opportunities to get a comprehensive market analysis, develop key relationships with buyers, and work directly with FAS staff.”

    “This program helped us connect with people interested in our products, making the whole process much easier and simpler,” said Carolyn Crotzer, a co-owner of Hawaiian Viking Coffee. This was the first trade mission for the company. “Multiple companies have already said that they want to work with us, and I am blown away by the response we are getting and how fast everything is getting processed.”

    This was the third agribusiness trade mission organized by FAS in 2023. The agency is also planning a trade mission to Chile in September, Malaysia in October, and Angola in December. Learn more about USDA trade missions by visiting https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions and following FAS on Twitter at @USDAForeignAg.

  • USDA Accepting Applications for Philippines Ag Trade Mission

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from U.S. exporters for an agricultural trade mission to Manila, Philippines, July 18-21, 2022. The mission will provide U.S. growers, producers, and exporters the opportunity to explore a thriving market that is expected to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic with one of the strongest growth forecasts in Asia.

    The Philippines is the eighth-largest export market for U.S. agricultural and food exports, averaging $3.1 billion annually during the last five years. It offers U.S. agribusinesses tremendous export potential thanks to its young and fast-growing population, strong consumer preference for U.S. foods and beverages, and robust service-based economy, which has reported increased sales in food retail, food service, and food processing following the country’s economic reopening.

    “As the Administration works to provide new and better market opportunities for U.S. agricultural exporters, the Philippines sets itself apart from the rest with a U.S. partnership that spans decades and an even brighter future for trade,” said USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator Daniel Whitley. “The Philippines and the United States just marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries and the United States is proud to be one of the Philippines’ largest economic partners. When it comes to U.S. foods and beverages in particular, U.S. brands are highly regarded as safe, reliable, and of good quality, and are the leaders in the marketplace, accounting for 21 percent market share.”

    For U.S. companies interested in exploring the Philippine market, strong export opportunities include beef; pork; poultry; cheese and cheese products; food preparations, including infant food; fresh vegetables; healthy foods; gourmet; convenience food products; processed fruit and vegetables; wines, beer, and distilled spirits; pet food; seafood products; and tree nuts.

    “USDA is also pleased to be partnering with the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA–Northeast for this mission,” added Whitley. “Strong collaboration between FAS and the U.S. agricultural industry will ensure we are providing the best possible service to our customers both internationally and right here at home.”

    While in Manila, participants will conduct business-to-business meetings with potential importers, receive in-depth market briefings from FAS and industry trade experts, and participate in site visits and other networking opportunities.

    The deadline to apply for the Philippines trade mission is May 18, and spots are limited. USDA previously had a trade mission to the Philippines scheduled for April 2020, which was cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Applicants originally selected for the 2020 trade mission will be given priority to participate in this one.

    For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions or email trademissions@usda.gov.