USDA officials are eyeing Peru for opportunities around specialty crops

USDA’s Foreign Ag Service is back from a trade mission to Peru, looking to open more doors for U.S. farmers.

Ag leaders from Maryland were on hand and said they are excited for opportunities around specialty crops.

“With the GDP growing here, and the quickly increasing middle class, we do see an opportunity for value-added products and consumer-oriented goods. Maryland is historically a rye whiskey-producing state, and a couple of discussions that we’ve had here indicate that there is an opportunity for diversification in that market here,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks.

Montana ag leaders were also on the trip, and they have their eye on Peru’s use of lentils and the opportunities for pulse processing facilities in the country.

Related Stories
Farm groups urged lawmakers to maintain free and fair trade across North America.
Secretary Rollins says the first U.S. calf infected with screwworm responded to treatment and is back to full health.
Global supply routes and U.S. energy inventories remain key factors for fuel markets
Trade estimates point to only modest changes in U.S. grain ending stocks ahead of USDA’s June 11 WASDE report.
Global fiber demand is growing, but cotton producers benefit only when cotton gains value and competes for market share.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Suzanne Fanning with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin joined us to discuss the “Born to Dairy” campaign, dairy promotion efforts in Wisconsin, and the economic role of the state’s dairy industry during National Dairy Month.
Oklahoma State University extension specialist Todd Hubbs joins us for an update on wheat harvest conditions in his state and the key factors shaping marketing decisions.
The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association joins us to share their “Milkshakes on the Moo-ve” campaign and statewide dairy outreach during National Dairy Month.
Officials say the FDA-approved generic drug kills most screwworm larvae within hours of administration. The medication is available in two dosage strengths and is administered based on an animal’s weight.
StoneX Director of Fertilizer, Josh Linville, joins us to discuss fertilizer market trends and risk management strategies to navigate an uncertain farm economy and fluctuating agricultural input costs.
Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the distribution of a comprehensive memorandum on Friday in Fort Worth, at RFD-TV’s Rural Town Hall presented by the Western Caucus Foundation.