Featured image: Alexis Taylor, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs confirmation hearing
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead the upcoming agricultural trade mission to Japan from June 5-8.
The delegation includes solid representation of the U.S. agriculture sector, with businesses, state departments of agriculture, and commodity groups taking part.
“As one of the world’s leading economies, Japan is an important market for U.S. food and agriculture exports. It is an incredible honor to lead this delegation as we work to expand our bilateral trade relationship even further,” said Taylor.
She added, “I am extremely pleased by the diverse set of businesses in our delegation as we connect many women-, minority-, and veteran-owned U.S. agribusinesses with potential business partners in Japan.”
Japan is the fourth-largest market for American food and agricultural exports, and in 2022 U.S. exports totaled $14.6 billion, with exports of soybeans, dairy, and other products reaching new highs.
According to a USDA release, the United States “is vital to ensuring food security in Japan, with nearly a quarter of all Japan’s food and agricultural imports coming from U.S. exporters.”
While in Japan, trade mission participants will engage directly with potential buyers, receive in-depth market briefings from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and industry trade experts, and participate in site visits.
In addition to representatives from the following businesses and organizations, Taylor will be joined by Idaho State Director of Agriculture Chanel Tewalt, Indiana State Director of Agriculture Don Lamb, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, Nebraska Director of Agriculture Sherry Vinton, North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring, and officials from the California, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Washington, and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture.
