Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: April 9, 2007

Missouri Setting Records with Agricultural Exports to Vietnam

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Today, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that Missouri is positioned to take advantage of the growing agricultural export market to Vietnam. In 2006, the U.S. set a record for total agricultural products exported to Vietnam with more than $287 million compared to $103 million in 2002.

“About 10 years ago, Missouri’s Taiwan Trade Office began initiating sales of Missouri’s agricultural-related products and equipment in Vietnam because of their large population and rapidly growing economy,” said Tony Stafford, division director of the Agriculture Business Development Division at MDA. “Vietnam’s growing manufacturing base is an ever-increasing market for products such as Missouri-grown cotton and Missouri hardwood logs and lumber. The manufacturing sector is also creating markets for Missouri-produced food ingredients, livestock feed ingredients and equipment.”

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Vietnam were up over 160 percent in Jan. 2007 compared to Jan. 2006. As a result of Missouri’s Taiwan office, Missouri companies are expected to ship over $2 million in agriculture products in the coming months.

“Taiwan’s agricultural-related investments in Vietnam will continue to provide Missouri companies a unique inroad to Vietnam’s growing livestock and food processing sectors,” said Stafford.

Missouri agricultural businesses interested in learning more about market opportunities in Vietnam should contact the Agriculture Business Development Division at (573) 751-4339.

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