News

South Africa’s dairy industry is likely to grow in the future due to improving economic factors, despite suffering from many weather and disease related challenges in the past 5 years. This growth may provide opportunities for dairy genetics exporters. In 2025, USDA-FAS/Pretoria forecasts unprocessed liquid milk production to increase by 2% on declining feed costs and forecasts U.S. dairy exports to South Africa (including lactose, whey, and cheese) to increase by 10% on increased consumer spending power. The linked report provides an overview of the South African dairy industry and forecasts production, processing, imports and exports in the 2025 marketing year.

Source: USDA-FAS Global Agricultural Information Network (Report No. SF2025-0005)

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is accepting applications for its agribusiness trade mission to Lima, Peru, scheduled for June 9–12, 2025. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in participating must apply by March 12, 2025.

Peru is the 3rd-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America. Since the 2009 U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, bilateral agricultural trade has risen from $1.46 billion to $5 billion in 2023, a 242.5% increase. In 2023, the United States was Peru’s 2nd-largest agricultural supplier with a 13% market share.

During the trade mission, participants will join buyers from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador for targeted business-to-business meetings to explore and discuss potential business opportunities in each country. USDA-FAS staff and regional experts will also provide in-depth market briefings, lead informative site visits, and host networking events.

For more information or to apply, visit fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions/peru-june-2025.

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, News Release (Feb. 26, 2025)

USLGE is pleased to announce that it will be receiving an additional $4,750,000 from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) in the 2nd round (FY2025) of 5 tranches of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) funding. Of the total FY2025 RAPP funds allocated to USLGE, $1.25 million are designated specifically for USLGE member National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), with $625,000 of that to be spent by NAAB on projects for marketing U.S. livestock genetics in Africa.

“This 2nd round of RAPP funding makes it possible for USLGE and its members to bring the benefits of U.S. livestock genetics to almost every corner of the world while providing an incredible return on investment for its membership,” says Dr. Martin Sieber, President and CEO of USLGE. “We appreciate this strong endorsement by USDA-FAS of USLGE's role as the leader and national trade association for U.S. livestock genetics.”

U.S. genetics can play a crucial role in enhancing livestock herd development and promoting sustainable agricultural practices globally. USLGE’s efforts in RAPP emphasized regions will contribute to improved animal breeding, reduced environmental impact, and increased productivity.

For more information, contact Enrique Crotto, USLGE RAPP consultant, at ecrotto@uslge.org.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the 2nd round of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants, which is intended to allocate $300 million to 67 partners, expanding U.S. food and agricultural exports in emerging global markets. This latest investment brings total RAPP funding to $600 million in 2024.

The new grants aim to diversify export markets in regions with rising consumer demand and purchasing power, including Africa, Latin America/the Caribbean, and South/Southeast Asia. These regions offer significant opportunities for U.S. producers seeking to establish a stronger foothold in dynamic and growing markets.

Source: USDA (Press Release No. 0250.24, December 19, 2024)

The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) and U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., (USLGE) lead global efforts for the development and promotion of livestock genetics, connecting breeders around the world. [Article in Spanish]

Source: Revista Brangus, El Anuario 2024, December 2024, page 12

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FSA) Administrator Daniel Whitley arrived in Casablanca on December 2 to begin a USDA-sponsored agribusiness trade mission. Whitley is leading a delegation of nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups [including USLGE] and 14 State Departments of Agriculture to expand U.S. farm and food exports to Morocco and other West African markets.

“I am honored to lead this delegation to Casablanca as we work to strengthen vital connections, grow U.S. agricultural exports, and showcase the broad array of products American agriculture has to offer,” said Whitley.

Morocco is the 2nd-largest export market for U.S. agriculture in Africa. U.S. sales of farm and food products to the country topped $619 million last year, representing 16% of U.S. exports to the continent. American agricultural exports to Morocco have doubled since the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2006.

Morocco offers a stable market and growing economy and serves as a key distribution hub for the African continent. U.S. exporters have opportunities in numerous sectors, including beef, dairy, feed grains, live animals and genetics, rice, seafood, seed potatoes, soybeans, and tree nuts.

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, News Release (Dec. 2, 2024)