Trade

USDA’s Rural Development undersecretary faced numerous complaints from rural U.S. Senators about complicated grant applications, office staffing, and broadband grant duplication at a recent Farm Bill hearing.  Xochitl Torres Small defended her agency’s handling of its many functions, calling most criticisms the result of having to balance costs and fairness.  But she did agree t...

Despite COVID, supply chain issues, and the war in Ukraine, the United States in fiscal year 2022 still managed to set a new record for exports of agricultural products at $196.4 billion.  There were several factors pushing that figure higher over the past year.  Head of...

Joe Coote, said Darigold is renewing its commitment to expand and modernize production, allowing for an expansion of products on the global stage.  The CEO of the Seattle-based diary co-op says thanks to not only their recent groundbreaking in the Tri-Cities, WA area, but expansion of facilities in Lynden and Sunnyside WA, as well as Boise, ID, the company is able to focus more on value added prod

On Thursday, a resumption of grain shipments from Ukrainian Black Sea ports, after Russia rejoined an international agreement allowing safe passage of Ukraine cargo ships.  That announcement came after days of uncertainty after Vladimir Puttin’s government temporarily withdrew from the original agreement.  USDA chief ec...

On Thursday, a host of lawmakers, including Washington’s Dan Newhouse and Kim Schrier introduced legislation that looks to boost trade and support American farmers.  The Supporting Market Access to Reinvigorate Trade (SMART) Act of 2022, would increase funding to several trade focused programs at USDA, including the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMDP).     Oth

The US Department of Transportation has awarded the Port of Portland $24,360,000 to make infrastructure improvements and upgrades.  Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the funding Monday, saying ports are crucial to the economy.   “...

Legislation recently introduced seeks an excise tax on the sale and export of water-intensive crops grown in the U.S. by foreign governments.  Arizona Democrat Representative Ruben Gallego introduced the Water Protection Act of 2022, as Arizona and other states face prolonged drought. ...

Governor Kate Brown wrapped up her trade mission to Asia Tuesday.  South Korea is Oregon’s third largest export market for food and agricultural products, and no country the Governor pointed out buys more Oregon blueberries.  And Brown said she thinks there’s room for growth and expansion.   “Oregon blueberries ar...

In this week's Focus On Fruit, Jennie Strong provides us an update from the Washington Apple Commission.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com ...

Because of the disruptions of grain shipments out of Ukraine and many questions surrounding just how much of that food will be available to nations that need it, and at what price, a number of countries have imposed restrictions of exports of their own ag products, such as wheat and rice...