MDA Director Clark Joins NASDA Trade Mission to Vietnam
CONTACT:
Logan Kruse, Montana Department of Agriculture (406) 444-3684
MDA Director Clark Joins NASDA Trade Mission to Vietnam
HELENA, Mont. – Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director, Christy Clark, joined the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) on an “emerging markets” trade mission to Vietnam April 5th – 13th, 2024.
The goal of this international visit to Vietnam was to foster stronger ties with Vietnamese ag trade partners as well as identify and address additional trade opportunities that exist for Montana agricultural products. Additionally, the delegation sought to gain a better understanding of trade rules, regulations, and culture to strengthen the United States’ trade relationship with Vietnam.
Director Clark joined Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward; Rick Pate, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture; Sherry Vinton, Nebraska Director of Agriculture; Derek Sandison, Washington Director of Agriculture; Amanda Brondy, Global Cold Chain Alliance; and members of the NASDA staff. The delegation met with supermarket executives, various agriculture businesses, seed groups, as well as toured the Cai Lan Port as part of their collaboration exploration efforts.
“The objective of the trade mission to Vietnam was to reinforce and strengthen relationships with our established Vietnamese agricultural trade partners to enhance international opportunities for Montana commodities,” said Director Clark. “Vietnam’s population is on a steep incline with a large portion entering the global middle class. Their consumers value high-quality commodities and foods which our Montana producers are known for.”
Director Clark showing off Montana ag products in Vietnam
The trade mission follows Director Clark’s successful trade mission to Cuba February 18th – 23rd, 2024, and highlights the potential for Montana’s increased international agriculture presence as the department pursues to grow and diversify our state’s trade markets.
Funding for this trade mission was provided by the USDA’s Foreign Ag Service’s Emerging Markets Program through NASDA. The Emerging Markets Program (EMP) helps U.S. organizations promote exports of U.S. agricultural products to countries that have, or are developing, market-oriented economies and that have the potential to be viable commercial markets.
The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.
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Tags: NASDA, International Trade, Trade Mission and Director Christy Clark