Trade

The USDA announced last week it has awarded more than $25 million to support eight projects under the new Assisting Specialty Crop Imports (ASCE) Initiative.  USDA launched the initiative in January 2024 as part of the agency’s commitment to create more and better markets for U.S. producers an...

What's being done to improve the trade picture for local tree fruit growers?  And what more can be done?  We put those questions before Mark Powers with the Northwest Horticultural Council.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

U.S. Wheat Associates is running a new campaign, promoting the high quality of American wheat and highlight how it reaches global customers.  Ralph Loos, U.S. Wheat Associates Director of Communications, said they created a video series project that will serve as a tool to educate and highlight American wheat to buyers worldwide.   “...

Last week, the 2018 Farm Bill extension expired, and while there is hope that a new Farm Bill can be passed during the upcoming lame duck session, there is concern in farm county that little if anything will be done during the remaining portion of 2024...

The most recent talks with Japanese officials that began nearly 20 years ago about getting U.S. fresh potatoes access in Japan ended just as they have every other year, in frustration.  National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said nothing has changed.   “...

This year has been a challenging one for the Idaho agriculture community for a variety of reasons.  Bryan Serale, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, said weather and wildfires hurt many producers this year.  But a bigger challenge for commodities of all shapes and sizes, the lack of trade deals, allowing Idaho’s goods to go out on the open market.   "We have perfect...

U.S. dock workers and port operators reported Thursday that they had reached a tentative deal, immediately ending the crippling three-day strike that shut down shipping on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast.  American Farm Bureau Economist Danny Munch said while the strike was only three-days in length, the impact on trade has already been felt. He said ...

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said America is bracing for the impact of the massive dockworker strike that threatens to paralyze goods in and out of the U.S.  He pointed out that our nation relies on international trade for everything from electronics to machinery.   “...

Last month was a rough one for American farmers.  The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer for September recorded its lowest readings since March 2016.  Declining income expectations pushed farmer sentiment down as the barometer fell 12 points to 88, and the Index of Future Expectations dropped 14 points to 94.  The Index of Curr...

A potential strike at three dozen U.S. ports could upend supply chains and raise prices weeks before election day.  According to Farm Policy News, the International Longshoremen’s Association will have 25,000 members walk off the job if the union doesn’t come to a new agreement with the U.S. Maritime Alliance,...