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
Tasting events in Ghana highlight potential for new export markets
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hints at new fertilizer plan while trade deals, soybean markets, and farm bill momentum drive ag policy discussion.
U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin meet with Ohio farmers to discuss E15 expansion, rising input costs, trade concerns, and the need to move forward on a new farm bill.
South Texas producers remain on alert as screwworm concerns grow; sterile fly efforts underway to prevent spread.
Cotton may gain demand as polyester costs rise.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canada’s advisory committee and the upcoming USMCA review and its potential impact on agriculture.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Faren Rachels is a Georgia-native who made the move to Music City. She has opened for some of the biggest names in music, from Luke Combs to Willie Nelson, and her songs have been recorded from many of today’s artists.
In part six of his blog series,"Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” farm legal expert Roger McEowen tackles issue #2, foreign ownership of ag land.