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Export potential rises from USDA trade mission to East Africa

The US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is pleased with the outcome of USDA’s trade mission to East Africa this week.

During a call from Tanzania with reporters Friday, Jewel Bronaugh says they had promising conversations about how to get more US ag goods to Kenya.

“Corn, soybeans, dried distillers grains, improved bovine genetics, opportunities for BT cotton, and we really pushed to expand market access for meat and poultry.”

She says they are looking forward to more commitments being made as they talk to participants in the coming weeks.

“Hopefully ahead of the US Africa Summit in Washington D.C. where several of the leaders we visited with will be attending. They can talk about some of the successes and commitments from this trade mission.”

Illinois farmer Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare was on the mission as Chair of the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program. She tells Brownfield East Africa is one of the fastest growing areas on the continent. “And there is a huge need to improve and increase the supply of quality protein available to the people of Kenya and Tanzania. The US has the ability to help fulfill that need.”

Representatives from 32 agribusinesses and farm organizations participated in the trade mission.