The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is set to embark on its first-ever regional agricultural trade mission to Amsterdam, Netherlands, from April 17 to 20, 2023. The mission will bring together more than 50 businesses, trade associations, and state government leaders to connect with potential buyers from the Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, and Germany.
Led by the USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis M. Taylor, the mission is expected to provide promising export opportunities for the wide variety of products American agriculture has to offer. These products range from soybeans and tree nuts to meat and sweet potatoes, snacks, distilled spirits, forestry products, and more. The mission reflects the USDA’s efforts to strengthen America’s rural economy by assisting U.S. producers, exporters, and agribusinesses to grow and diversify their revenue streams.
FAS Administrator Daniel B. Whitley sees the Netherlands as the perfect gateway to Europe and how the trade mission will help U.S. producers, exporters, and growers to meet potential buyers and expand their sales in the region. The mission will include business-to-business meetings, market briefings, site visits, and networking activities.
In addition to U.S. companies, officials from the Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Tennessee state departments of agriculture will join the mission. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the demand for high-quality U.S. products, including organic-certified products, and products with unique stories to tell about their provenance.
The combined exports of U.S. farm and food products to the region totaled $4.5 billion in 2022, an increase of 10 percent from 2021. With the Netherlands serving as the gateway to Europe and having an impressive network of importers, packers, processors, and distributors, the regional trade mission has significant potential for U.S. agricultural exporters.
This trade mission highlights the importance of trade relations in the agriculture sector and how they can benefit both sides. The U.S. can share its high-quality products with the world and boost its economy, while the participating countries can benefit from access to new products and markets.
In summary, the USDA’s regional agricultural trade mission to Amsterdam presents an exciting opportunity for both the U.S. and European agricultural industries to build new relationships and expand their markets.
