June 9, 2016

 

 

The US will be sending an agricultural trade mission to Ukraine and Romania during the weekend, led by Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse.

 

Leaders from five state departments of agriculture and eight US agribusinesses and organizations will accompany Scuse during the trade mission from June 11 to 18, the US Department of Agriculture said in a press release.

 

"Both Ukraine and Romania offer potential as markets for US farm and food products," Scuse said. "US 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 US agricultural leaders as we seek to enhance our trading relationship with both nations."

 

The USDA said mission participants come from across the US and represent a range of agricultural products and commodities.

 

They includerepresentatives from the Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oregon departments of agriculture, as well as the following companies and organizations:

 

Valley Milk, LLC, Turlock, California

 

The past seven years have represented the strongest period for American agricultural exports in its history, with US agricultural product exports totaling $911.4 billion between fiscal years 2009 and 2015, according to USDA. In fiscal year 2015, American farmers and ranchers exported $139.7 billion of food and agricultural goods to consumers worldwide, it said.

 

For more information, visit www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.