Leaders from seven state departments of agriculture, including Michigan, and 23 U.S. agribusinesses, including Katzen International out of Cincinnati, are on  trade mission to Hong Kong and Shanghai. The group is  accompaning Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services Alexis Taylor, Sept. 7-15, to extend USDA's Women in Agriculture initiative abroad and expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.

Ohio and Michigan women on ag trade mission

"USDA is committed to building opportunities for women to grow, learn from one another and lead within their industries," says Taylor. "Women in agriculture have a powerful story to tell – one of leadership, stewardship and resilience – from the combine, to the classroom, to the boardroom. This trade mission provides us an opportunity to discuss the impacts women in the United States and China are having on agriculture and to share our visions for the next generation. In addition, I look forward to joining U.S. agricultural leaders as we seek to enhance our trading opportunities in this region."

The United States has strong trading relations with both China and Hong Kong. Last year, China was the second-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports reaching $23.5 billion. Sustained high demand for bulk commodities such as soybeans and cotton continues, and demand for high-value food, meat and alcohol products is surging. Next year, China is projected to return as the United States' top export market.

In contrast to China, where more than 70 percent of U.S. exports are bulk commodities, more than 90 percent of U.S. exports to Hong Kong are high-value, consumer-oriented products. With a population of more than 7.2 million people packed into 426 square miles, Hong Kong relies on imports for more than 95 percent of its food supply. It is the United States' seventh-largest market, with top U.S. exports including tree nuts, beef, poultry and fresh fruit.

USDA trade missions open doors and deliver results for U.S. exporters, giving them the opportunity to gather market intelligence and develop strategies to start or expand their sales in key markets overseas. For more information, visit www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

Source: USDA