CA Blueberries 1

A trade mission including nearly 80 representatives from the US agricultural industry and government will visit Vietnam to explore the market and meet with delegations from Thailand and Myanmar.

The US Department of Agriculture mission will visit Ho Chi Minh City from 15 to 18 October and it features a number of fresh produce organisations from across the US.

These include the Almond Board of California, California Blueberry Commission, Oregon Berry Packing, Coconut King Miami Beach and more.

Ted McKinney, USDA’s under-secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, said the interest in this trade mission shows US companies are excited about the growing opportunities available in Asia.

“The size of this trade mission delegation speaks to the phenomenal potential that exists for US exporters in Vietnam and surrounding countries,” McKinney said.

“Since the United States normalised relations with Vietnam in 1995, our agricultural exports have grown exponentially, reaching a record US$4bn last year. Sales of US food and farm products to Thailand and Myanmar also set records in 2018, topping US$2.1bn and US$126m, respectively.”