USDA trade mission looks to aid expansion of agricultural exports in Vietnam and Southeast Asia
It has been announced that US under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs Alexis Taylor will lead a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam, on 9-13 September.
Taylor will be joined by representatives from 58 agribusinesses and organisations and nine state governments ”representing the diversity of US agriculture”.
While the trade mission takes place in Vietnam, it is also designed to provide US agribusinesses with a gateway to the Southeast Asia region, thanks to participation by potential customers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand.
“Vietnam’s continued economic growth, ongoing reform and young population have combined to create a dynamic and quickly evolving environment for high-quality and diverse American agricultural products,” said Taylor.
“Our collaboration has secured market access for a variety of American products, including most recently stonefruit and grapefruit.”
The USDA highlighted that Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia held ”immense opportunity” for US exporters, with rising consumer incomes, growing middle class populations and favourable perceptions of US food and agriculture.
In 2023, the US exported US$3.1bn of agricultural products to Vietnam.
Trade mission participants will connect with key importers for business-to-business meetings and learn about local and regional market conditions through detailed market briefings from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service staff, industry experts and government contacts.
Trade mission participants include California Fresh Fruit Association, California Table Grape Commission, Limoneira and Wonderful Citrus, among many others.
