The clock is ticking as USA Rice's Asiha Grigsby (left) makes the pitch for U.S.-grown rice
Oct 05, 2023
SANTIAGO, CHILE – Last week, USA Rice participated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agribusiness Trade Mission in Chile led by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor. A delegation of U.S. food and agriculture sectors, state departments of agriculture, and South American trade members came together to discuss U.S. trade topics while celebrating 200 years of friendship and bilateral trade, and 20 years of the trade agreement between the United States and Chile.
The trade mission coincided with the Espacio Food and Service trade show where U.S. Ambassador to Chile Bernadette Meehan joined diplomats from Peru and Brazil to officially open the event. Ambassador Meehan gave a keynote address at the USA pavilion followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil more than 20 booths and U.S. products to an enthusiastic crowd.
Under Secretary Taylor kicked off the trade mission agenda with her speech at the plenary session highlighting key aspects of the trade relationship between Chile and the United States.
“As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of U.S.-Chile relations, I am honored to lead such an incredible group as we work with Chilean importers on expanding our bilateral trade even further,” said Taylor. “Customers in Chile are especially interested in U.S. consumer-oriented products … providing U.S. exporters with many new and exciting opportunities.”
Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice director of international promotion for the Western Hemisphere, participated in a roundtable meeting focused on the possibility of opening new markets for rice in South America. The discussion offered insight on strategies and best practices from USDA and fellow cooperators to move agricultural trade forward.
“Throughout the trade mission, I had the opportunity to meet with South American importers in 20-minute, individual “speed-dating” sessions,” said Grigsby. “I talked with several importers from Chile, Brazil, and Ecuador who are interested in sourcing U.S.-origin rice as a way to diversify supply from neighboring competitors, and we will soon share those trade leads with members.”
The trade mission agenda also included a field trip to local supermarkets with aisles dedicated exclusively to U.S. products, as well as a private tour of the Port of Valparaiso where U.S. and Chilean products transit daily to support bilateral trade that tops $29 billion.