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Rabat – The United States is determined to strengthen its foothold in Africa’s agribusiness sector by enhancing its cooperation with Morocco.
According to the US embassy in Morocco, the US Department of Agriculture will host its first-ever Agribusiness Trade Mission to Morocco from December 2-5.
The mission, the largest ever to Africa, aims to strengthen trade ties between the two countries.
The event will serve as a platform convening a delegation of 26 American agribusinesses, 21 leaders of cooperatives, and 14 state agriculture departments as well as Moroccan and West African buyers.
The event will enable these customers to explore the latest consumer food trends, access market demand and explore regional markets.
Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley expressed in a statement the importance of this initiative, which offers a “crucial opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to enter into Morocco’s dynamic market and leverage its strategic position for wider African access.”
Whitley, who will lead the mission, says he is committed to facilitating these vital connections that will expand US agricultural exports.
US ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar also discussed the importance of the mission in the statement, noting that it not only reflects the strong partnership between the two countries but also the cooperation, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity within the agriculture industry.
“By fostering trade and collaboration, we aim to advance food security, address shared challenges like climate change, and highlight the vital role of women in transforming agriculture globally,” he added.
The event will also serve as a platform for business discussion. Representatives from US companies will take part in business-to-business meetings with potential buyers from Morocco and other West African countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, and Senegal.
Morocco and the US have been committed to boosting bilateral ties and cooperation at all levels, including trade. The two countries are connected through a Free Trade Agreement which came into effect in 2006.
According to the US embassy, since the agreement came into effect, Moroccan agricultural exports to the US have almost tripled. Additionally, US agricultural exports to Morocco have also doubled.
“The Kingdom was the second-largest U.S. agricultural market in Africa in 2023,” the US embassy said, noting that agriculture exchange between the two countries reached $900 million.
