NDA Director Greg Ibach promotes Nebraska’s ag-products in Asia

Visiting Malaysia and Philippines

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Along with United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse, Mark McHargue, first vice president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau and Stan Garbacz, Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s (NDA) international trade representative, NDA Director Greg Ibach is travelling within Southeast Asia to promote agricultural products from the Cornhusker State.

“I am pleased Under Secretary Scuse invited Nebraska to participate in this important trade mission. There is a tremendous opportunity for our agricultural exports to continue to grow in Southeast Asia, and I hope to be able to forge relationships and open the door to future trade deals for Nebraska while I am here,” said Ibach in a press release.

The delegation also features representatives Idaho, Iowa, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia as well as 21 agribusinesses and organizations. They’ll spend their time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as well as Manila, Philippines and will meet with potential business partners from Burma and Thailand.

Ibach estimates exports into Southeast Asia have doubled over five years from $2.7 billion in 2009, reaching about $5.4 billion in 2014.

Nebraska beef exported to the Philippines has seen the most increase. In 2009, beef exports were valued around $905,000 and in the past five years has skyrocketed to $7.9 million worth. Beef to Thailand has also experienced growth with exports rising from $33,000 to $973,000 within the same five year time period.

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