U.S. apples, pears, peaches and cherries may now go to Colombia
U.S. apples, pears, peaches and cherries may now go to Colombia
The second-largest agricultural market in Latin America took a significant step toward becoming a free trade partner with the United States Feb. 27 with the conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations between the United States and Colombia, although Congress must still approve the deal.
In a press release, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns stated, "Colombia is our second-largest agricultural market in Latin America, currently accounting for $677 million in sales of wheat, coarse grains, cotton and soybeans, among many others. As many products from Colombia already enter the U.S. duty-free under the Andean Trade Preference Act, this agreement will help to level the playing field for our producers by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers for U.S. agricultural products.
"Under this agreement, U.S. farm exports to Colombia that will receive immediate duty-free treatment include beef, cotton, wheat, soybeans, soybean meal, apples, pears, peaches, cherries and many processed food products," he continued. "In addition, many farm products will benefit from improved market access like pork, corn, poultry, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products."
Mr. Johanns added, "Opening the Colombian market and increasing our two-way trade will strengthen our economic ties and also promote increased stability that will benefit all the nations of the Western Hemisphere."
In a press release, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns stated, "Colombia is our second-largest agricultural market in Latin America, currently accounting for $677 million in sales of wheat, coarse grains, cotton and soybeans, among many others. As many products from Colombia already enter the U.S. duty-free under the Andean Trade Preference Act, this agreement will help to level the playing field for our producers by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers for U.S. agricultural products.
"Under this agreement, U.S. farm exports to Colombia that will receive immediate duty-free treatment include beef, cotton, wheat, soybeans, soybean meal, apples, pears, peaches, cherries and many processed food products," he continued. "In addition, many farm products will benefit from improved market access like pork, corn, poultry, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products."
Mr. Johanns added, "Opening the Colombian market and increasing our two-way trade will strengthen our economic ties and also promote increased stability that will benefit all the nations of the Western Hemisphere."