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USDA looks to strengthen U.S. ag trade with Venezuela

The Trump administration is continuing to take steps to help improve market access for U.S. producers in Latin America.

USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says the agency is helping provide humanitarian relief in Venezuela after two recent earthquakes. “The history they’ve had with our farmers and ranchers as a trading partner has been a bit of a sad story in the past decade or so. Once upon a time, Venezuela was once a top 10 ag export market for U.S. producers.”

He tells Brownfield USDA is working with several ag organizations like the U.S. Soybean Export Council, U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council and the U.S. Dairy Export Council to deliver various products with a long-term goal of improving relations. “That would certainly be the goal in Venezuela is to get them to place to flourish once more on that perspective. I think there are Venezuelans that want to see U.S. products on their shelves.”

Lindberg says the agency has developed several resources including a lending program for export buyers. “To make sure that any foreign buyer who has a desire to purchase American agriculture products has the financing they need to do so. Historically, Venezuela has been a challenging place to finance transactions. We have taken extra do-diligence measures.”

He says there is also an opportunity for Venezuela to expand market access sin the U.S. by selling products like coffee and spices.

Luke Lindberg: