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.
Dr. Gary Schnitkey from the University of Illinois discusses farmers’ sentiment toward industry consolidation, especially in the fertilizer sector, where costs remain historically high.
Weak cold chain performance can lead to slower movement, higher costs, and greater product loss after harvest or processing.
USDA says total grain inspected for export reached 2.81 million metric tons for the week ending June 11.
The dairy industry is encouraged by potential H-2A reforms while supporting renewal of the USMCA.
Experts note that economic growth, fuel demand, and energy diversification are opening new opportunities for U.S. grain and ethanol exports in Southeast Asia.
The USDA’s new cotton initiative comes as policymakers continue to focus on stabilizing farm income across major row crops while balancing export exposure with domestic supply chain resilience.
