SSGA joining USDA Netherlands trade mission

SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick

On April 17-20, SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick will accompany USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor’s delegation during USDA’s first-ever regional agribusiness trade mission to the Netherlands. Taylor will head a diverse group more than 50 business, trade associations and state government leaders seeking to grow U.S. agricultural exports to the Netherlands, Scandinavia and beyond.

“This regional trade mission is part of USDA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen America’s rural economy by helping U.S. producers, exporters, and agribusinesses grow and diversify their revenue streams,” said Taylor. “Home to the largest seaport in all of Europe and an impressive network of importers, packers, processors, and distributors, the Netherlands is the gateway into the European Union, offering great business potential for U.S. agricultural exporters.”

During the mission, U.S. participants will meet with importers from the Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

“Combined exports of U.S. farm and food products to this region totaled $4.5 billion in 2022, an increase of 10 percent from 2021,” Taylor said.

Frederick will represent SSGA member companies in business-to-business meetings and promoting the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand mark program.

“It’s SSGA’s mission to promote the high-quality, specialty soybeans and grains available from U.S. suppliers,” Frederick said. “And making the U.S. Identity Preserved mark recognizable worldwide is vital to telling that story. I look forward to introducing the program to companies and officials next week in the Netherlands.”

While on the trade mission, participants will conduct business-to-business meetings with potential buyers, receive market briefings from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and industry trade experts, and participate in site visits.