U.S. delegation in Sub-Saharan Africa this week on trade mission

U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, leaders from five states' departments of agriculture, and representatives from 26 U.S. agribusinesses and organizations are on a mission trip to sub-Saharan Africa this week to help expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.

"Sub-Saharan Africa's strong economic outlook, growing middle class and surging demand for consumer-oriented foods creates a promising market for U.S. food and agricultural products," Harden said. "Over the past decade, U.S. agricultural exports to this region increased by more than 50 percent, totaling $2.3 billion in 2014."

The delegation will meet with business interests from over a dozen Sub-Saharan African countries to network and learn about the region's business climate. The intelligence gathered will help these U.S. companies start or expand sales in these markets.

Companies and associations represented on the mission specialize in grains and feeds, peanuts, soybeans, meat and poultry, agricultural machinery and other products.

The departments of agriculture in Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas were represented, as were businesses from several U.S. states: Georgia, Arkansas, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, California, Delaware, New Jersey and Colorado.

More information about the trade mission can be found online at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFAS/subscriber/new.