USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg recently returned from a trade mission to Australia and New Zealand focused on expanding opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses.
More than 60 U.S. businesses participated in the mission, along with representatives from 11 state departments of agriculture and 15 agricultural industry organizations. Products highlighted during the trip ranged from fresh produce and organics to pork and other agricultural goods.
In an interview with AgNet Media, Lindberg said Australia and New Zealand present some unique opportunities for American agriculture. While both countries are major agricultural producers themselves, differences in growing seasons can create complementary markets, particularly for fresh produce. He also pointed to opportunities for U.S. agricultural inputs and products that support livestock production overseas.
The trip wasn’t simply about promoting American products. Lindberg said USDA and the participating companies held more than 150 business-to-business meetings with potential buyers, while discussions with government and industry officials also focused on expanding market access.
Among the issues discussed were potential access for U.S. blueberries into New Zealand, apples into Australia and additional opportunities for American pork. Lindberg also discussed efforts to make organic certification more easily recognized between the countries.
The conversation also looks beyond Australia and New Zealand to USDA’s broader effort to diversify export markets and reduce U.S. agriculture’s dependence on a small number of major trading partners. Lindberg points to Southeast Asia—and Vietnam in particular—as one of the markets offering significant potential for additional agricultural exports.
Listen to the full interview with Under Secretary Luke Lindberg below.