Director Streit to Join USDA Trade Mission to Expand Agricultural Exports in Peru
CONTACT:
Logan Kruse, Montana Department of Agriculture, (406) 444-3684
Director Streit to Join USDA Trade Mission to Expand Agricultural Exports in Peru
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana Department of Agriculture Director, Jillien Streit, will join the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a high-impact trade mission to Lima, Peru from June 9 -12 aimed at expanding market access and boosting U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru. The delegation includes more than 50 agribusinesses, trade organizations and representatives from five state departments of agriculture working to strengthen economic ties and improve the trade balance.
“USDA is committed to enhancing export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses,” said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, who will lead the mission. “This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in South America, improving economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.”
Peru is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America, and the U.S. is Peru’s second-largest agricultural supplier. Despite bilateral agricultural trade growing 263% to $5.3 billion since 2009, the $3.66 billion agricultural trade deficit persists. This mission aims to build on this growth, bridge the gap and increase U.S. exports.
Trade mission participants will engage in business-to-business meetings with buyers from Peru and Ecuador, gaining market insights and fostering new business partnerships. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) staff and regional experts will provide in-depth market briefings, site visits and networking events to maximize trade opportunities.
Administrator Whitley will be joined by Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, Montana Director of Agriculture Jillien Streit, and representatives from Indiana, Georgia, and Wisconsin, alongside a delegation of agribusiness leaders.
The Peru trade mission is part of USDA’s broader 2025 export promotion strategy. Recent trade missions to Thailand and Guatemala generated nearly $23 million in 12-month projected sales for U.S. exporters. Looking ahead, USDA will soon announce application details for planned missions to Côte d'Ivoire, Mexico, and Taiwan.
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USDA FAS
Tags: Trade Mission, Director Jillien Streit and USDA FAS
