By Godson Umejiego, Senior Correspondent
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for an agricultural trade mission to the United Kingdom (UK) June 22-24, 2022.
The mission offers US growers, producers, and exporters the opportunity to explore this dynamic market and to meet the consumer demand in the UK Consumer-oriented foods and beverages are the most important sector for US agricultural exports to the UK, accounting for more than US$1 billion of the US$2.7 billion of exported US agricultural and related products to the UK in 2021.
The USDA-sponsored trade mission to the UK is one of four upcoming international trade missions Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on March 11 that support USDA’s commitment to expanding and diversifying global market opportunities for US agriculture and exporters.
“The UK is the third-largest economy in Europe and its consumers demand the world-class products available from US agriculture producers,” said Vilsack. “This mission can open doors to this critical market for US ag exporters regardless of their size and products.”
As UK’s demand for US. consumer-oriented food and beverages increases, the market delivers strong potential for US exporters of processed products, dried and processed fruit, nuts, fish and seafood, fresh produce, organic products, US ethanol, wood pellets and more.
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will provide trade mission delegates a platform to conduct face-to-face meetings for the first time since the pandemic began and receive in-depth market briefings and tours from FAS and industry trade experts who can facilitate the export of US products to the UK
The deadline to apply for the UK trade mission is April 8.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.
