The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is organizing its first-ever trade mission to Morocco from December 2 to 5, marking the largest such mission to Africa.

This mission aims to strengthen trade relations between the United States and Morocco, open new marketing opportunities, expand existing partnerships between the two countries, and foster cooperation with West Africa.

According to a press release , a delegation of 26 U.S. agricultural companies, 21 leaders from agricultural cooperatives, and 14 U.S. agricultural ministries will hold direct meetings with Moroccan and West African traders. The mission aims to explore the latest consumer food trends, assess market demand, and access key regional markets.

The trade mission also reaffirms the U.S.’s commitment to boosting agricultural exports and strengthening ongoing trade relations in the region. The release highlights that investments in infrastructure in Morocco, particularly in roads and ports, have made Morocco an important regional trade hub, benefiting American food exporters and manufacturers across Africa.

Daniel Whitley, Director of the Foreign Agricultural Service, who will lead the delegation, explained that the mission “provides a critical opportunity for U.S. agricultural businesses to enter the dynamic Moroccan market and take advantage of its strategic location to reach broader African markets.” He added, “We are committed to facilitating these vital connections and expanding U.S. agricultural exports.”

U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Bonet Talwar, stated “The U.S. agricultural trade mission to Morocco reflects the strong partnership between our two countries, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusion in agriculture.”

He emphasized that by strengthening trade and cooperation, “We aim to enhance food security, address shared challenges such as climate change, and highlight the vital role of women in agricultural development worldwide.”

During the visit, representatives from American companies and institutions will participate in working meetings with importers from Morocco and West African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, and Senegal.

They will also meet with officials from the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (COMADER), the Specialized Institute for Milling Industry (IFIM), and the Institute for Animal Husbandry Training (Zoopole). Additionally, roundtable discussions will be held with key agricultural leaders and Moroccans who have participated in previous exchange programs.

The press release further notes that since the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement came into effect in 2006, Moroccan agricultural exports to the U.S. have nearly tripled, and U.S. agricultural exports to Morocco have doubled. In 2023, Morocco was the second-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in Africa, with a total agricultural trade value of $900 million between the two countries.

Both the United States and Morocco are co-sponsors of the United Nations resolution declaring 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers (IYWF). This initiative aims to raise awareness about the critical role women play in agriculture and highlight opportunities for gender equality in the sector.

Source - https://www.msn.com