Leaders from 34 US agribusinesses and organisations are accompanying agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack on a trade mission to Peru and Chile from 14-18 March, as they look to expand export opportunities for US food and agricultural products.
Peru and Chile are members of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which concluded negotiations in October 2015 on a historic trade agreement.
Passage of TPP by the US Congress will provide new market access for America’s farmers by lowering tariffs, eliminating barriers, boosting exports and supporting jobs in America’s rural economies.
“South America has been one of the fastest-growing world regions for exports of US farm and food products, and Chile and Peru have been among the most rapidly growing markets in the region,” said Vilsack. “I look forward to joining US agricultural leaders to explore the many market opportunities that exist in this part of the world, particularly in light of the fact that both Chile and Peru are part of the TPP.”
Mission participants represent a wide range of agricultural products and commodities, including grains, livestock, fresh produce, processed foods and beverages, sugar, cotton, lumber and ethanol.
On the visit, they will meet with potential customers and host government representatives, forging relationships and learning about the market conditions and business environment in Chile and Peru, in a bid to help them develop strategies to start or expand sales to these key markets.
