U.S. Beef, pork, poultry, and eggs are now cleared to enter Paraguay after terms for export certificates for US livestock and poultry to that market were agreed upon.  This latest announcement is part of what Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade, Ted McKinney, told reporters Monday is strategy to expand US ag trade opportunities beyond major export customers.  McKinney said the USDA isn't done.

 

"It is not by chance that my first trip with a quick follow-up two weeks ago, was to India."

 

With a growing middle class and per capita income ready for increased food and farm exports.  He also noted a recent USDA-led ag trade mission to Guatemala.

 

"What an incredible trade mission that was. It will easily be in the top three trade missions, both in the numbers of attendees, but also the business that they, themselves, conservatively believe that they walked away with."

 

The U.S. Meat Export Federation reports that Paraguay imported more than 2,500 metric tons of beef in 2017, mostly from Brazil, valued at $6.5 million dollars.​

 

 

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com

More From PNW Ag Network