May 30, 2023

USDA delegation schedules agricultural trade mission to Japan

USDA 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 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 Chanel Tewalt, state director of agriculture for Idaho; Don Lamb, state director of agriculture for Indiana; Ryan Quarles, commissioner of agriculture for Kentucky; Sherry Vinton, director of agriculture for Nebraska; Doug Goehring, commissioner of agriculture for North Dakota; and officials from the California, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Washington and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture.

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

For more information, visit usda.gov.