California Ag Network

Tag: U.S. farm exports

  • 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

  • Delegation Asserts U.S. Agricultural Interests in the Asia-Pacific Region

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering led the U.S. delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting (FSMM). APEC is the premier platform for the United States to advance economic policies in the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrate American economic leadership, and shape the policy environment for trade and investment and strong economic growth, benefiting American farmers, ranchers, and businesses.

    “I am honored to represent our hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers who depend on sound global food and agricultural policies,” said Bekkering. “Our mission is clear: improve nutrition, make agriculture more efficient, and grow the American and world economy. We do that through sound science, strong markets, and fair trade. When farmers and ranchers can produce more, move their goods more efficiently, and compete fairly, everyone benefits – from farm to table to globe. President Donald Trump has consistently voiced his support for farmers and rural communities and their role as the ‘bedrock of our economy.’ We have a responsibility to drive a focused agenda that prioritizes practical solutions to empower agricultural producers.”

    The United States exported more than $126 billion in agricultural products to fellow APEC members in 2024, accounting for 72 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the world. Eight of the top 10 U.S. agricultural export destinations are APEC members. While at the Ministerial Meeting, Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from some of the United States’ top trading partners, including Japan and the Republic of Korea. Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering also met with U.S. agriculture commodity groups, including the U.S. Grains Council, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the U.S. Soybean Export Council, and U.S. Wheat Associates to understand their experiences and challenges in the Korean market and the broader region.

    Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering met with the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to address non-tariff barriers that U.S. agricultural exports currently face in the Korean market.

    All 21 APEC economies were represented at the Ministerial and adopted the Joint Statement – which supports broadband access and digital tools, including the application of artificial intelligence, and stressed the need for research and investments to foster agricultural productivity growth.

  • California Citrus, Table Grapes & Dairy Well-Represented in Upcoming Trade Mission to Dominican Republic

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a high-impact trade mission to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from July 13–17 to expand market access and boost U.S. agricultural exports. The delegation includes 47 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and officials from Colorado, Montana, and Wisconsin departments of agriculture.

    “USDA is committed to growing export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering, who will lead the mission. “This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers, tapping into Latin America’s growing demand for high-quality American agricultural products, supporting rural prosperity and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.”

    With an expanding middle class, economic growth and a burgeoning hotel and restaurant industry, the Dominican Republic offers U.S. producers a stable and sustainable market in the Caribbean Basin. The country is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in the Western Hemisphere and the top market within the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) region, which includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

    Thanks to CAFTA-DR, U.S. exports to the Dominican Republic have increased from $800 million in 2007 to $2.2 billion in 2024, with the U.S. currently supplying 44 percent of the country’s agricultural imports, supporting around 15,000 American jobs. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, exports increased 6 percent.

    Participants will meet with buyers from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica to gain market insights and forge new partnerships. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service staff and regional experts will provide in-depth market briefings, site visits and networking events to maximize trade opportunities.

    Other participants include:

    1 Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute – Juneau, Alaska

    2 Boston Agrex LLC – Norwell, Mass.

    3 California Dairies – Visalia, Calif.

    4 California Table Grape Commission – Fresno, Calif.

    5 Colorado Department of Agriculture – Broomfield, Colo.

    6 Darigold Inc – Seattle, Wash.

    7 DoVen Foods LLC – Miami, Fla.

    8 Foodlink Group Inc. – Miami, Fla.

    9 Globex International – New York, N.Y.

    10 Grand Napa Vineyards – Napa, Calif.

    11 Hoogwegt U.S. Inc. – Lake Forest, Ill.

    12 IslandJon North America LLC – Atlanta, Ga.

    13 James Farrell & Co. – Bellevue, Wash.

    14 Lamex Agrifoods Inc. – Miami, Fla.

    15 Lawrence Wholesale LLC – Vernon, Calif.

    16 Leprino – Denver, Colo.

    17 Little Toad Creek LLC – Silver City, N.M.

    18 MacDonald Meat Company – Seattle, Wash.

    19 Merus LLC – Minneapolis, Minn.

    20 Metafoods LLC – Atlanta, Ga.

    21 Old Fashioned Cheese – Mayville, Wis.

    22 Pangea Growers Group – Boca Raton, Fla.

    23 Portal Pacific US – Rocklin, Calif.

    24 Prime International LLC – Logan, Utah

    25 Riceland – Stuttgart, Ark.

    26 Salt River Sisters – Harrodsburg, Ky.

    27 Scout & Zoe’s – Anderson, Ind.

    28 Scratch Food Group – Atlanta, Ga.

    29 SMAA Food Exports LLC – Charlotte, N.C.

    30 Stewco Farms – Bloomfield, Mo.

    31 Supreme Rice – Crowley, La.

    32 Sure Good Foods USA – Atlanta, Ga.

    33 Talmera USA Inc. – Los Angeles, Calif.

    34 Tropical Foods LLC – Miami, Fla.

    35 Trutana Foods – Great Falls, Mont.

    36 U.S. Dairy Export Council – Arlington, Va.

    37 U.S. Grains Council – Washington, D.C.

    38 U.S. Soybean Export Council – Chesterfield, Mo

    39 US Agricom Inc. – Doral, Fla.

    40 US Commodity Food Sales LLC– Doral, Fla.

    41 US Dry Bean Council – Frankenmuth, Mich.

    42 US Rice Producers Association – Katy, Texas

    43 USA Rice – Arlington, Va.

    44 Washington Apple Commission – Wenatchee, Wash.

    45 Western United States Agriculture Trade Association – Vancouver, Wash.

    46 Wisoman Foods Inc. – Hayward, Calif.

    47 Wonderful Citrus – Delano, Calif.

    USDA’s trade mission to the Dominican Republic is part of USDA’s broader 2025 export promotion strategy. So far this year, USDA has led trade missions to Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, and Guatemala. Missions to Taiwan and Mexico are planned in the coming months.

    For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.