US-India Agriculture export is estimated to be a $1.3 billion market.
Ted McKinney, the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affair of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) commenced his five-day visit to India on Monday along with a delegation of 50 business, trade association and state government leaders.
Consul General Edgard D. Kagan who met the delegation ahead of their meeting briefed about India’s trade relationship with the US and how it is progressing.
According to USDA India, the McKinney and the Foreign Agricultural Service welcomed all 50 leaders who are part of the delegation and said there is a great export potential to explore.
The USDA trade plenary commenced with informative opening remarks from US Consulate General Mumbai and McKinney.
“U.S. agricultural exports to India have grown nearly 250 percent over the past decade, but the country’s barriers impede exports of many of our products,” McKinney said before starting his India visit.
“On this trip, I look forward to not only promoting U.S. farm and food products but also to meeting my Indian government counterparts to build relationships and address key trade policy issues in an effort to improve American access to this important market,” he added.
The delegation is on a mission to connect with the potential customer and learn about the market conditions of India by traveling to New Delhi and Mumbai, which are two trade hubs of India.
During the weeklong visit, the delegation will meet close to 150 Indian companies in addition to importers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The delegation that has traveled to India include Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. Representatives from the following companies and organizations are also part of the delegation: Almond Board of California, Modesto, California; America’s Best Genetics, West Lafayette, Ind.; American Embryo Transfer Association, Champaign, Ill; American Seed Trade Association, Alexandria, Virginia; Growth Energy, Washington, D.C.; Hudson Exports, Inc., Edison, N.J; Reliance Agro, Missouri, Texas; Renewable Fuels Association, Washington, D.C; The Redwood Group, Mission, Kansas; U.S. Grains Council, Washington, D.C.; U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., Mount Horeb, Wisconsin; U.S. Soybean Export Council, Chesterfield, Montana.
US-India Agriculture export is estimated to be a $1.3 billion business with tree nuts, cotton, pulses, fresh and processed fruits, and prepared foods accounting for more than 80 percent of those exports.
India is also a major market for US ethanol exports. The United States is India’s top ethanol supplier, with sales totaling nearly $176 million in 2016.
Stay behind the plough in a market filled with potential! Touchdown to @USDAIndia 1st Ag Del to India led by U/S McKinney #TasteOfAmerica pic.twitter.com/08xHmqqHTm
— Varun Anthony (@Varunanthony) October 30, 2017
Welcome to #Mumbai @USDA U/S for Trade & Foreign Ag Affairs Ted McKinney & the #USDAtrade mission. Let’s grow some #USIndiaTrade! pic.twitter.com/lUdKxZwaKn
— U.S. Consulate Mumbai (@USAndMumbai) October 30, 2017