USDA Under Secretary Taylor to Lead Agri-Trade Mission to Japan

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead the upcoming agricultural trade mission to Japan, June 5-8. The delegation includes a robust representation of the U.S. agriculture sector, including businesses, state departments of agriculture, and commodity groups.

“As one of the world’s leading economies, Japan is an important market for U.S. food and agriculture exports. It is an incredible honor to lead this delegation as we work to expand our bilateral trade relationship even further,” said Taylor. “I am extremely pleased by the diverse set of businesses in our delegation as we connect many women-, minority-, and veteran-owned U.S. agribusinesses with potential business partners in Japan.”

Japan is the fourth-largest market for U.S. food and agricultural exports. In 2022, U.S. exports matched the previous record, totaling $14.6 billion, with exports of soybeans, dairy and other products reaching new highs. The United States is vital to ensuring food security in Japan, with nearly a quarter of all Japan’s food and agricultural imports coming from U.S. exporters.

While in Japan, trade mission participants will engage directly with potential buyers, receive in-depth market briefings from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and industry trade experts, and participate in site visits.

In addition to representatives from the following businesses and organizations, Taylor will be joined by Idaho State Director of Agriculture Chanel Tewalt, Indiana State Director of Agriculture Don Lamb, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, Nebraska Director of Agriculture Sherry Vinton, North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring, and officials from the California, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Washington, and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture.

1. Aero-Cos International, Marlboro, N.J.
2. All Berry & Fruits, Hillsboro, Ore.
3. American Commodity Company, LLC, Williams, Calif.
4. American Egg Board, Chicago, Ill.
5. Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, Seattle, Wash.
6. Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, Calif.
7. Bluet Maine Wild Blueberry Sparkling Wine, Scarborough, Maine
8. California Olive Committee, Clovis, Calif.
9. CraftCadia Distribution, Bellingham, Wash.
10. Crazy Go Nuts, Fresno, Calif.
11. Dragonberry Produce, Canby, Ore.
12. East-West International Group, Inc., Moreland Hills, Ohio
13. Fiscalini Farmstead, Modesto, Calif.
14. Global Export Marketing Co., Ltd, New York, N.Y.
15. Hawaiian Viking Coffee Company, LLC, Captain Cook, Hawaii
16. Idaho Potato Commission, Idaho Falls, Idaho
17. Kizable, LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
18. Little Toad Creek Distillery, Silver City, N.M.
19. Marquis Energy, Hennepin, Ill.
20. MCT Dairies, Inc., Chatham, N.J.
21. Meinelschmidt Distillery, Hagerstown, Md.
22. MEM Fairway Inc., Irvine, Calif.
23. National Pork Board, Clive, Iowa
24. North America Blueberry Council, Folsom, Calif.
25. OG Nut Company, Stockton, Calif.
26. Pacific Valley Foods, Inc., Bellevue, Wash.
27. Pennington Distilling Co., Nashville, Tenn.
28. Red Lake, Inc., Red Lake, Minn.
29. Redwood International, Irvine, Calif.
30. Sakuma Bros, Burlington, Wash.
31. Scenic Fruit Company, Gresham, Ore.
32. Space Enterprises LLC, The Woodlands, Texas
33. Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, Mankato, Minn.
34. U.S. Grains Council, Washington, D.C.
35. U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, Folsom, Calif.
36. U.S. Soybean Export Council, Chesterfield, Mo.
37. USA Rice, Arlington, Va.
38. Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, Vancouver, Wash.
39. Wilbur Packing Co., Inc, Live Oak, Calif.
40. Yopun Tea, Kennewick, Wash.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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