USDA plans debut trade mission to boost agricultural trade with Angola 

ANGOLA- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small plans to lead the first-ever U.S. agribusiness trade mission to Luanda, Angola on Nov. 28 – Dec. 1 this year. 

According to a recent press release, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service is now accepting applications from U.S. exporters who wish to participate in this trade mission and the deadline to apply for the Angola trade mission is Friday, August 25.  

“When it comes to trade opportunity, Sub-Saharan Africa is both promising and often over-looked, and the USDA trade mission to Angola presents an incredible prospect for U.S. food and agriculture exporters to expand and explore new business opportunities,” said Torres Small. 

“Angola is one of the largest markets in Africa, and with imports making up more than half of its food market, Angola is a perfect location for U.S. exporters to introduce more American-made products to African consumers.”

While in Angola, participants will conduct business-to-business meetings with potential buyers, receive in-depth market briefings from FAS and industry trade experts, and participate in site visits and other networking opportunities. 

Additionally, U.S. participants will also meet with buyers from the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.

With a population of nearly 36 million people, many of whom are middle- and high-income consumers, Angola is looking for high-quality imported products. 

In 2022, U.S. food and agriculture exports to Angola totaled US$236.8 million, making it the 7th largest African market for U.S. exporters. 

Consumer-oriented products accounted for more than 99 percent of U.S. agricultural and food exports to Angola in 2022. 

Moreover, Angola was the largest U.S. poultry market in Africa, and the sixth largest globally last year, importing more than US$232 million of American poultry and poultry products.

According to Small, the Angolan market presents strong export opportunities including poultry, pulses and dry beans, wheat, and wine. 

Additionally, local and U.S. industry partners also see opportunities for other products, including rice and soy, vegetable oils, and other consumer-oriented products, including beef, pork, sauces and condiments, and distilled spirits.

According to the U.S. Department of State, Angola is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and the United States and Angola have signed a trade and investment framework agreement, which seeks to promote greater trade and investment between the two countries.

This planned trade mission is only going to strengthen these existent ties. 

For all the latest grains industry news from Africa, the Middle East and the World, subscribe to our weekly NEWSLETTERS, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel