State agricultural managers deliver business message to Kenya

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State agricultural managers deliver business message to Kenya

Illinois’ agriculture director says Africa holds enormous market potential for U.S. products.

Jerry Costello tells Brownfield that he and several other state agriculture directors recently witnessed this situation in Kenya.

“Based on what’s happening with biotechnology in Kenya, there’s probably an opportunity to export about half a million tonnes of grain from the United States to Kenya,” he says.

He said the livestock industry could also benefit.

“We also have a huge opportunity to export cattle genetics to Kenya. » He said: “I think we were able to identify a number of areas from a trade mission perspective where the United States can export to Kenya. »

The USDA has identified Africa as an emerging market and Costello says these trips help develop relationships.

Agricultural managers from Kansas, Wyoming, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina also joined the trip.