USDA to organize trade mission to Morocco to expand agricultural exports

MOROCCO – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is organizing a trade mission to Casablanca, Morocco, from December 2 to 5.

This is aimed at enhancing U.S. agricultural and food exports to Morocco and other West African markets, including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Gambia. 

The initiative comes as African countries continue to rely heavily on food imports to meet their domestic needs.

In a statement released on November 18, the USDA announced that the American delegation will include representatives from approximately 50 agri-food companies and trade organizations. 

The mission is part of ongoing efforts to connect U.S. agribusinesses with emerging opportunities in Africa, a continent where economic growth in certain regions is driving demand for imported food products.

“This mission presents an important opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to enter Morocco’s growing market and use its strategic location to access other parts of Africa,” said Daniel Whitley, administrator of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which oversees agricultural export initiatives.

Morocco is one of the key markets for U.S. agricultural exports in Africa. 

In 2023, it ranked as the second-largest African destination for U.S. food products, with imports valued at US$619 million. 

The country’s geographical position and established trade infrastructure make it a gateway for accessing other regions in Africa.

The trade mission will also target West African countries such as Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, which show potential for increased imports of U.S. food products. 

Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa’s largest economy, imported US$845 million worth of food products in 2023, but only 2% of these imports were sourced from the United States. 

Similarly, Senegal spent US$1.9 billion on food imports during the same year, with U.S. products accounting for just 1%.

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