Recent Trip Could Lead To Trade In Southern Africa

The most recent USDA trade mission may not only lead to new market opportunities with Southern African nations, but perhaps future bi-lateral trade agreements as well.  South Africa is the central location for the Ag Department's current trade mission, but as the USDA's Ted McKinney, said from Cape Town this week South Africa is not necessarily the central focus.

"This ATM, though based in South Africa, invited in a total of 11 countries in the southern region of Africa."

Meaning government to government meetings that could facilitate breaking down trade barriers.  So what might that mean going forward in terms of potential bilateral deals?

"No announcements have been made, but I sense that there's a desire to look at some countries ones not confirmed but heard include Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Kenya,” McKinney noted.  “I think at some point down the road there's got to be a focus on South Africa as a country, or Ethiopia, Nigeria, so there's a real opportunity."

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