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How Michigan’s Ag Producers May Benefit from the USDA’s Trade Trip to India

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How Michigan’s Ag Producers May Benefit from the USDA’s Trade Trip to India
Alexis Taylor, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (center), is joined during a trade meeting with Indian officials and business leaders by Eric Garcetti (left), Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of India, and Doug McKalip (right), Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Photo courtesy of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.


 

Selling more of Michigan’s ag products to India is the reason for the USDA’s trade mission, which is happening in New Delhi, India this week.

“India is really looking—and we are well—to find areas that are a win-win for agriculture,” said Alexis Taylor, the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs for the USDA, who spoke with Michigan Ag Today from India.

“India, last year, reduced tariffs on almonds, apples, chickpeas, lentils, walnuts, as well as blueberries, cranberries, frozen turkey, and high-quality frozen duck destined for high-end hotels and restaurants,” said Taylor. “I really wanted to capitalize on that additional market access for our producers because USDA estimates that these tariff reductions could expand trade by approximately $345 million this year alone in additional exports.”

Taylor adds that Michigan’s apples, blueberries, and other ag products would be well-suited for India—which is home to more than 1.4 billion people.

“Exports of U.S. agricultural products to India were nearly $2 billion last year making India are 13th largest single-country export market,” according to Taylor. “One of the things I think we were really excited about is just some of the demographic changes we’re seeing that are causing a rapidly shifting demand for things like increased protein and more variety of products that support and complement their existing agricultural sector here in India.”

The USDA has four additional trade missions planned for 2024:

  • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from June 17-20.
  • Bogotá, Colombia, Aug. 13-15.
  • Vietnam, Sept. 9-13
  • Morocco, Dec. 2-6
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Part of the USDA Trade Delegation to New Delhi, India on April 22, 2024. The delegation has been led by Alexis Taylor, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Photo courtesy of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

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