DepositPhotos image
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week is leading a delegation of 50 ag companies and organizations on a trade mission to Morocco. And Rusty Halvorson reports, a representative from USMEF is on that trip.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is participating in a USDA trade mission to Morocco this week. The trade delegation is being led by USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, who notes the close cooperation with ag export organizations like USMEF.
“To help market and promote U.S. agriculture products, their products, and they have so many success stories. We’ve seen record exports. I’ve been in government for over 20 years now, and I’ve seen a lot of public private partnerships, but none better than what we have with FAS and our membership community, USAEDC, and of course USMEF is one of the greatest partners that we have in that endeavor.”
USMEF Africa Representative Matt Copeland says Morocco is a promising market with a free trade agreement with the U.S. that could fuel momentum for U.S. red meat in a broader region of Africa.
“Countries like Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire are growing six and a half, seven percent year-on-year in terms of GDP growth. And that offers a very big base in terms of population size and demand.”
USMEF participation in the trade mission is made possible through USDA’s new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program or RAPP.
“No doubt they help line our members up for success.”