USDA trade mission targets Morocco

Expanding U.S. Ag exports to Africa

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator, Daniel Whitley, has arrived in Casablanca to initiate a USDA-sponsored agribusiness trade mission.

This mission includes nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses and representatives from 14 state departments of agriculture, all aiming to expand U.S. farm and food exports to Morocco and West Africa.

"I am honored to lead this delegation to Casablanca as we work to strengthen vital connections, grow U.S. agricultural exports, and showcase the broad array of products American agriculture has to offer," Whitley remarked.

This visit is strategic, as Morocco represents a significant market for U.S. agricultural products, with exports last year totaling $619 million.

The U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement has been a catalyst in doubling these exports since 2006, underscoring Morocco's importance as a stable market and a key distribution hub for Africa.

The delegation's presence in Morocco is set to fortify existing trade relations and explore new opportunities in a market characterized by its expanding food processing sector and a rise in consumer demand. Key U.S. exports include beef, dairy, and soybeans, with emerging opportunities for seafood and rice.

The mission is not just about trade but also about building lasting relationships that will facilitate future agricultural exchanges.

This commitment is evident in the planned media teleconference on December 5, where Whitley alongside agricultural leaders from multiple U.S. states will discuss the mission's progress and prospects.

This concerted effort aims to strengthen U.S. agricultural exports to Africa, positioning U.S. agribusiness at the forefront of the continent's growing market opportunities.