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WASHINGTON, June 8, 2016 – Leaders from five state departments of agriculture and eight U.S. agribusinesses and organizations will accompany Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse on a trade mission to Ukraine and Romania June 11 to June 18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
"Both Ukraine and Romania offer potential as markets for U.S. farm and food products," Scuse said. "U.S. exports to Romania have been on the rise, and could be further helped by passage of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. In Ukraine, the continuing economic and political transition could likewise lead to new business opportunities. I look forward to joining U.S. agricultural leaders as we seek to enhance our trading relationship with both nations."
Mission participants come from across the United States and represent a range of agricultural products and commodities. They will meet with potential customers and host government representatives, forging relationships and learning about the market conditions and business environment in Ukraine and Romania.
Mission participants include representatives from the Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oregon departments of agriculture, as well as the following companies and organizations:
- American Commodity & Shipping Inc., Vienna, Va.
- Case IH (Case New Holland), Washington, D.C.
- Cuba Beverage Co., San Diego, Calif.
- JM Grain, Garrison, N.D.
- LL International, LLC, Corte Madera, Calif.
- Missouri Rice Council/USRPA, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
- Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc., Kalida, Ohio
- Valley Milk, LLC, Turlock, Calif.
USDA trade missions open doors and deliver results for U.S. exporters, giving them the opportunity to gather market intelligence and develop strategies to start or expand their sales in key markets overseas. For more information, visit www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.
The past seven years have represented the strongest period for American agricultural exports in the history of our country, with U.S. agricultural product exports totaling $911.4 billion between fiscal years 2009 and 2015.In fiscal year 2015, American farmers and ranchers exported $139.7 billion of food and agricultural goods to consumers worldwide. Since 2009, USDA has worked to strengthen and support American agriculture, an industry that supports one in 11 American jobs, provides American consumers with more than 80 percent of the food we consume, ensures that Americans spend less of their paychecks at the grocery store than most people in other countries, and supports markets for homegrown renewable energy and materials. USDA has also provided $5.6 billion in disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; expanded risk management tools with products like Whole Farm Revenue Protection; and helped farm businesses grow with $36 billion in farm credit. The Department has engaged its resources to support a strong next generation of farmers and ranchers by improving access to land and capital; building new markets and market opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities. USDA has developed new markets for rural-made products, including more than 2,500 biobased products through USDA's BioPreferred program; and invested $64 billion in infrastructure and community facilities to help improve the quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.
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