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Diversifying dairy trade: IDFA identifies Uzbekistan as top emerging market

A trade policy expert says the International Dairy Foods Association is working to expand new market opportunities for U.S. dairy exports.

Becky Rasdall Vargas says IDFA’s latest Project Diversify report shows Uzbekistan to be an emerging export market in Central Asia.

“Dairy is a great product for food insecure populations in that region,” she says, “It’s a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. The U.S. is well positioned to be the leading global supplier for dairy products in the future.”

In June, the Trump administration announced a preliminary trade framework with Uzbekistan to strengthen bilateral trade.

Rasdall Vargas tells Brownfield, “They’re both squarely focused on US ag being part of that agreement,” she says. “We’ve used Project Diversify both as a reference point for dairy exporters, but also for US negotiators to strengthen that trade agreement.”

She says future phases of Project Diversify will focus on various regions to compare metrics and product categories.

AUDIO: Becky Rasdall Vargas, International Dairy Foods Association