WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Dec. 5 announced it will sponsor seven agribusiness trade missions in 2020. The missions will take individuals to North Africa, the Philippines, Spain and Portugal, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, Peru and the United Arab Emirates.

“I cannot overstate the immense value trade missions provide to the U.S. agriculture industry and to our customers,” said Ted McKinney, Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S.D.A. “Trade missions help agribusinesses — both large and small — get their foot in the door to new markets, build strong relationships with existing and potential customers, and expand their global footprint and sales of U.S. farm and food products.

“I’ve had the pleasure of leading numerous trade missions at U.S.D.A. and the results overwhelmingly speak for themselves. In 2019 alone, six U.S.D.A. trade missions enabled more than 170 U.S. companies and organizations to engage in 3,200 one-on-one meetings with foreign buyers, generating more than $78 million in projected 12-month sales.”

The U.S.D.A. said four of the locations are first-time destinations: Spain and Portugal, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand and United Arab Emirates.

For more information on the trade missions visit: https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.