Have Passport, Will Promote U.S. Product in Columbia
With California Ag Today, I am Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.
We’re talking Columbia on today’s program and if you’re thinking, “Hey, that might be a convenient place to get some of our U.S. ag product,” it’s time to put your money where your mouth is…or at least your passport.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Columbia in August and, here’s the passport part, the USDA is now accepting applications from current and potential U.S. exporters who have interest in joining the delegation.
“Colombia represents a top-tier food and agricultural destination for American farmers, ranchers, and processors,” says Taylor. “As the second-most populous country in South America, Colombia enjoys highly favorable demographics coupled with 20 years of continuous economic growth.”
Colombia is the largest South American market for U.S. agricultural product.. Since the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement was implemented in 2012, U.S. ag exports to Colombia have grown 237 percent, reaching a record $3.7 billion last year.
The USDA says export opportunities to Colombia include healthy foods, fresh fruit, meat and meat products, beans, seafood, dairy products, and more. For more information, go to fas.usda.gov.
