USDA Trade Initiative Aims to Expand Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa
17 September 2013 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched its Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Initiative the week of Sept. 16, kicked off by a trade mission in the region led by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden.
As part of the initiative to expand U.S. agricultural commercial ties to the region, a USDA delegation will travel to South Africa and Mozambique to learn about the region’s rapidly evolving market conditions and business environment. The information will enable agribusinesses to develop export strategies for sub-Saharan Africa.
According to USDA, the mission includes 18 U.S. companies and 16 U.S. agricultural commodity trade associations that represent a variety of agricultural products including snack foods, beverages, fruit and nuts, agricultural machinery and more. The companies and trade associations will meet with African buyers during the week.
“Many U.S. agribusinesses – especially small and medium-sized enterprises – are beginning to appreciate the opportunities for trade and investment in Africa,” Harden said. “This initiative will establish relationships between U.S. and African businesses and support agricultural growth throughout the region.”
USDA said that Sub-Saharan Africa’s strong economic outlook, growing middle class and surging demand for consumer-oriented foods “creates a promising market for U.S. food and agricultural products. Over the past decade, U.S. agricultural exports to sub-Saharan Africa increased by more than 200 percent. Last year, bilateral agricultural trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa totaled more than $4.75 billion.”
The USDA trade initiative supports the “U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa” plan outlined by President Obama in June 2012.
See the complete list of U.S. companies and USDA cooperators participating in the Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Initiative.
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