Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alexis M. Taylor is set to spearhead an agricultural trade mission to Japan scheduled for June 5-8. The mission represents a broad spectrum of the U.S. agriculture sector, encompassing businesses, state departments of agriculture, and commodity groups.
With Japan ranking as the fourth-largest market for U.S. food and agricultural exports, Taylor highlighted the importance of this trade relationship. “As one of the world’s leading economies, Japan is an important U.S. food and agriculture export market. I’m honored to lead this diverse delegation, including many women-, minority-, and veteran-owned U.S. agribusinesses. We aim to expand our bilateral trade relationship further,” Taylor said.
In 2022, U.S. exports to Japan matched the previous record, totaling $14.6 billion. In addition, key exports such as soybeans, dairy, and other products reached new heights, underscoring the significant role of the United States in Japan’s food security; nearly a quarter of all Japan’s food and agricultural imports originate from U.S. exporters.
During their stay in Japan, the delegation members will engage with potential buyers, receive market briefings from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and industry trade experts, and participate in site visits.
The delegation includes key agriculture figures such as 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, and North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring. In addition, representatives from the California, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Washington, and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture will also participate.
A range of businesses and organizations are represented in the mission, including Aero-Cos International, All Berry & Fruits, American Commodity Company, American Egg Board, Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, Blue Diamond Growers, Bluet Maine Wild Blueberry Sparkling Wine, and the California Olive Committee.
Others include CraftCadia Distribution, Crazy Go Nuts, Dragonberry Produce, East-West International Group, Fiscalini Farmstead, Global Export Marketing Co., Hawaiian Viking Coffee Company, Idaho Potato Commission, Kizable, Little Toad Creek Distillery, Marquis Energy, MCT Dairies, Meinelschmidt Distillery, MEM Fairway Inc., and National Pork Board.
The delegation is completed by the North America Blueberry Council, OG Nut Company, Pacific Valley Foods, Pennington Distilling Co., Red Lake, Redwood International, Sakuma Bros, Scenic Fruit Company, Space Enterprises LLC, Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, U.S. Soybean Export Council, USA Rice, Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, Wilbur Packing Co., and Yopun Tea.
The diverse representation of this trade mission reflects the broad scope of the U.S. agricultural sector, underlining its potential for expanded business relations with Japan.
Photo by Louie Martinez on Unsplash
