July 16, 2018

US to send agri trade mission to Southern Africa as it recognises growing potential

The US Department of Agriculture is sending a trade mission to Southern Africa in October, a recognition of the growing importance of the region as a market for agri-food products.

While the mission will be based in Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, participants will have the opportunity to engage with potential customers from a total of 11 countries in the region: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The US exported $602 million in agricultural products to those countries in 2017, a 25% increase from the previous year.

The trade mission will take place from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, and the USDA said on Saturday, July 14, that it is still accepting applications for the trade mission. Application deadline is July 23.

Encouraged to join are US agribusinesses interested in growing their exports to Southern Africa.

For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/southern-africa-october-2018.