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Taylor leads first agribusiness trade mission in Panama

A USDA trade mission in Panama this week is working to expand market opportunities for US ag goods.

Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Ag Affairs Alexis Taylor says the delegation had more than 300 meetings with interested buyers across the region.

“I have no doubt that in the weeks, months and year to follow we are going to see really great new trading relationships that are bore out of our time here this week.”

She says the trading relationship with countries in the Dominican Republic- Central America Free Trade Agreement, including Panama, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua continues to grow.

“Last year was a record. We sold $8.8 billion of food and agricultural products, up 57% from 2018.”

And Taylor says consumers there feel connected to the US. “Consumers here in Panama are familiar with the United States, they often travel to the United States, we have a long history of cultural ties and they really gravitate toward Us food and ag products.”

Taylor says buyers from the region are interested in purchasing US pork, beef, poultry, dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables and distilled spirits and wines.

The US Grains Council was also in Panama this week to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Industrial Association of Sugar Cane of Panama regarding biofuel expansion.