Agricultural Leaders Wrap Up Successful Trade Mission in South Korea
Key Takeaways
- Agricultural leaders, led by Under Secretary Alexis M. Taylor, complete a productive trade mission in South Korea.
- South Korean consumers highly value the reliability, quality, and safety of U.S. food and agricultural products.
- Top U.S. exports to South Korea include beef, pork, seafood, wheat, DDGs, with growing interest in fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy, eggs, and consumer-packaged goods.
A group of agricultural leaders has returned from a fruitful week-long trade mission in South Korea. Led by Alexis M. Taylor, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, the mission included representatives from 49 U.S. companies and organizations eager to explore opportunities in the South Korean market.
In a conversation with agricultural media, Taylor highlighted the positive reception of U.S. food and agricultural products in South Korea. She emphasized that South Korean consumers and importers value the reliability, quality, and sustainability of American agricultural goods, with a strong association of safety with U.S. brands.
Among the top U.S. agricultural exports to South Korea are beef, pork, seafood, wheat, dried distillers’ grain (DDGs), and food preparations. However, there is also growing interest in a diverse range of products, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy, eggs, coffee, distilled spirits, pet foods, and consumer-packaged goods like condiments and sauces.
Taylor underscored the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment to market diversification and relationship-building for American food and agricultural exporters. With South Korea being the fifth-largest market for U.S. agricultural products, Taylor emphasized the importance of such missions in expanding market access for American producers.
Looking ahead, Taylor revealed that several trade missions are planned for the year, with the next one scheduled for the end of the month in India. She expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming mission, noting the Biden-Harris administration’s success in reducing tariffs on various food and agricultural products in India last year. This reduction paves the way for U.S. businesses to regain market share and reconnect with Indian consumers.
For those interested in learning more about upcoming trade missions, Taylor directed them to the USDA website, where detailed information is available.
The successful conclusion of the South Korea trade mission marks a significant step forward in strengthening trade relations between the United States and South Korea, while also opening new avenues for American agricultural exports in a dynamic and lucrative market.
