USDA Continues Efforts to Expand Global Markets for U.S. Agriculture

Trade officials discussed export growth, biofuel opportunities and market access during the National Restaurant Association Show.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — USDA trade officials continue working to expand export opportunities for American agriculture as global demand and market competition continue evolving.

USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg recently met with agriculture industry leaders during the National Restaurant Association Show, where discussions centered around growing international market access for U.S. products.

Lindberg joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss some of the priorities highlighted during the event.

In his conversation with RFD News, Lindberg touched on conversations with NASDA, Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northwest surrounding new export opportunities and concerns tied to opening additional markets for U.S. agriculture.

The conversation also focused on the process of turning trade agreements into actual sales opportunities for producers and how USDA continues working to strengthen export financing for agricultural exporters.

Lindberg additionally discussed the outlook for ethanol and biofuel exports as demand for renewable fuel markets continues growing worldwide.

Related Stories
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments totaling more than $1.89 billion.
Specialty Crops Acreage Reporting Deadline for 2025 is March 13
In the U.S. and Canada, reduced planted acres—not yield losses—led to a decline in potato production, while Mexico saw modest gains due to increased yields and harvested areas.
AFBF Economist Samantha Ayoub discusses the latest data on Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings and what the troubling trend signals for the farm economy. At the same time, bigger loans and higher rates are squeezing working capital and increasing financial risk.
The USDA says the framework is about “ending abusive government overreach” and “protecting farmers, families, and private property.”
Farm numbers still favor small operations, but production, resilience, and risk management are increasingly concentrated among fewer, larger farms.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Higher prices are bringing relief to markets, but rising input costs are putting pressure on the producers.
From barns to show rings, producers and students say that livestock events offer economic opportunity and life lessons. Let’s take a look at some shows across the southeast in Georgia, Virginia and Louisiana.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses how tensions in the Middle East are impacting producer’s spring planting decisions.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and the potential impact on agriculture as farmers navigate ongoing global uncertainty.