A U.S. Department of Agriculture delegation is preparing for a five-day trade mission that will take place from March 23 to March 25. The goal of the trip is to strengthen trade relations between China and the United State and expand American agricultural markets.

Thanks to its booming economic development, China is rapidly becoming one of the largest importers of American agricultural goods. Chinese demand for bulk commodities like soybeans and cotton is high, with the Asian nation already a major importer of both products and poised to be the largest consumer of American soybeans over the next several years. Altogether, U.S. exports to China reached nearly $23 billion in 2011.

The importance of trade between the two nations was demonstrated last month when Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visited the United States and negotiated several agricultural trade deals.

The trade mission, headed by Acting Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse, will consist of representatives from 40 American businesses, the Agriculture Secretaries of Iowa and Oklahoma, and representatives from the agriculture departments of North Carolina, Illinois, South Dakota, and Kansas.

In the words of Undersecretary Scuse, “China and the United States share a special relationship, and we embrace this opportunity to demonstrate that our U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers are reliable suppliers of the highest-quality food and agricultural products.”

To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmloans.com.

Follow us on: Twitter

Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer