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
Strong corn exports support demand while soybeans lag.
Strong exports and prices are helping offset rising milk supplies.
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss rising input costs, fertilizer transparency efforts, and the role of trade in supporting farmer profitability.
Strong demand for U.S. beef in Mexico is boosting exports, with buyers seeking both variety meats and high-quality cuts like Prime and Choice ribeye.
Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss rising input costs, proposed fertilizer legislation, and potential support for farmers navigating tight margins.
Oklahoma livestock economist Dr. Derrell Peel helps us break down the April Cattle-on-Feed report and what it signals for herd rebuilding, supplies and prices moving forward.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RanchHER TV Host Janie Johnson enjoys a rip-roaring time with Morgan & Scotlyn Flitner, tenacious sisters working the family ranch, raising horses & cattle on 300,000 acres of Wyoming badlands.
Tue, 4/30/24 – 9 PM ET | 8 PM CT | 7 PM MT | 6 PM PT
RanchHER TV Host Janie Johnson joins lifelong neighbors Charity Staeffler and Sarah Kropf for a cold, icy adventure herding cattle through Oregon’s Blue Mountains.
Airs Friday at 8:30 PM ET on RFD-TV and RFD-TV’s YouTube Channel