USDA trade mission happening in Africa

Nov 17, 2015

Mission will take place until November 20th

United States Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden is leading a mission to Africa’s Sub-Saharan region that’s scheduled to wrap up on November 20^th.

Sub-Saharan region of Africa

The mission’s objectives include trying to provide the United States with more export opportunities when it comes to food and other agricultural products.

"Sub-Saharan Africa's strong economic outlook, growing middle class, and surging demand for consumer-oriented foods creates a promising market for U.S. food and agricultural products," Harden said. "Over the past decade, U.S. agricultural exports to this region increased by more than 50 percent, totaling $2.3 billion in 2014."

Accompanying Harden on the mission are representatives from Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas departments of agriculture. In addition to the political attendees, 22 American companies and four agricultural commodity trade organizations are attending the trade mission.

Represented organizations include The American Soybean Association, USA Rice Federation, Case New Holland and Industrial and Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

Grains, feeds, peanuts, soybeans, meat, poultry and machinery interests are all being represented on the mission.

The delegation will interact with potential customers representing more than 12 countries in the region and work to develop relationships, learn about market conditions and business environments. The gathered information will be used to create key strategies when it comes to trade in Africa’s Sub-Saharan region.

The top Sub-Saharan export markets for agricultural products in 2014 were:

Nigeria ($847 million)
Angola ($298 million)
South Africa ($259 million)
Ghana ($129 million)
Ethiopia ($83 million)
Kenya ($69 million)

Join the discussion and tell us your thoughts about the USDA trying to expand export markets for agricultural products. Are you excited about the opportunities it could provide?

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