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USDA eyes trade priorities for 2018

An official with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service says US agriculture is dependent on trade and new opportunities are needed for 2018.

Jason Hafemeister, trade counsel to the secretary of agriculture, says USDA officials will continue to overcome obstacles and increase market opportunities for farmers.

“Two challenges we face, one is on policy barriers- too many high tariffs, too many bans keeping our products out, and the second is on marketing- how to we help our exporters find customers,” he says. “That’s what we do in the USDA, try to crack open markets and then help promote products overseas.”

He tells Brownfield improving access to China will benefit the entire industry.

“We exported almost $22 billion to China in fiscal year 2017 and for some products like soybeans, it has been amazing,” he says. “One out of every three rows of soybeans planted in the US goes to China.”

He says it’s a good market, but there are some barriers.

“Our poultry is banned in China, we don’t think that’s justified and China needs to come to the table and find a way to open their market,” he says. “We want to get other products in as well.”

Hafemeister says improved trade agreements will also be a focus of 2018. He says officials want to make sure agriculture has a seat at the table because American farmers can deliver.

Audio: Jason Hafemeister, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service