Mission scheduled for March 14-18
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
In an effort to increase export opportunities for American farmers and their products, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead a trade mission to Chile and Peru scheduled to take place Mar. 14-18.
"Thanks to existing free-trade agreements, the United States enjoys strong trading relationships with both Chile and Peru," said Vilsack. "In addition, both nations are part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which if implemented will boost the Chilean and Peruvian economies and tighten integration with the U.S. economy, helping further expand demand for U.S. agricultural products."
Since signing a trade agreement with Peru in 2009 that cut agricultural tariffs, American agricultural exports to the country have almost tripled; the 2015 fiscal year saw Peru import nearly $1.25 billion worth of agricultural products.
A free-trade agreement enacted in 2004 allows American products to enter Chile duty-free as of 2015. Since the agreement was signed in 2004, exports to Chile have gone up nearly 500 per cent, totaling $803 million in the 2015 fiscal year.
Secretary Vilsack said the emerging middle-class populations and economies in both countries make the decision to embark on the trade mission easier.
According to the United States Trade Representative:
- Peru was America’s 32nd largest goods export market in 2013
- Top agricultural exports to Peru in 2013 include wheat, cotton, dairy products and corn
- Chile was America’s 21st largest goods export market in 2013
- Top agricultural exports to Chile in 2013 include wheat, feeds and fodders, poultry meat, and beef and beef products
There is currently an open application period for anyone interested in attending the mission. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 5.
More information can be found by visiting the Foreign Agricultural Service.