The use of veterinary drugs is generally a prominent topic in global discussions about food and agriculture, but it is particularly a focus for the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF). I recently had the opportunity to participate in a meeting on behalf of the animal feed industry, which addressed this important topic, working to ensure harmonization of global standards that could otherwise make it challenging to do business.
This month, Mallory Gaines, Ivy Torres and I had the privilege of joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s agricultural trade mission to Vietnam, where we represented the American Feed Industry Association alongside a diverse group of agribusiness leaders. Led by USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor, this mission provided a unique opportunity to further explore the market and strengthen relationships between U.S. agribusiness and key players in Vietnam.
In early August, the American Feed Industry Association embarked on an exciting new journey—our very first sellers' mission to Brazil! AFIA’s Gina Tumbarello, Mallory Gaines and I have been sharing updates on various global projects the association has undertaken over the past few years to build markets for U.S. animal food exports, ranging from market assessments and scoping missions to educational webinars and in-country workshops. Now, we have added a sellers' mission to the mix!
Every July, the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) hosted its annual attaché seminar, bringing together United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) cooperators and attachés to discuss the most pressing issues for our industry.
In addition to the feed additives survey the American Feed Industry Association recently conducted in the Vietnamese market, we also reached out to the pet food industry for their thoughts.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has maintained a strong presence in Vietnam despite the ever-changing global markets, intense competition and general uncertainty. By staying informed and open to new opportunities, the AFIA provides Vietnamese feed companies with valuable insights into U.S. feed additives. Through meetings with stakeholders in Vietnam, our global policy team has gathered crucial data, shedding light on the industry’s efforts to compete in Vietnam’s feed additive sector.
At the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), we are committed to expanding opportunities for our members. Gina Tumbarello, Ivy Torres and I manage global affairs for AFIA, overseeing animal food import and export challenges, navigating policies that impact opportunities to trade and implementing market development programs. Our goal is simple: to ensure our members’ ability to thrive, expand and grow by successfully entering new markets abroad, while also maintaining access to the current markets.
Over the last few years, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has significantly expanded its support for members in international areas. Our efforts have now broadened to include developing stronger relationships with foreign and international feed associations as well as with foreign governments. In addition, we are providing education to international buyers, end-users, importers and regulators about the quality and diversity of U.S. animal feed, thereby enhancing market access for our industry.
U.S. animal nutrition products hold a valuable place in the global marketplace. In 2023, the overall export value for feed, feed ingredients and pet food was $13.4 billion and the total volume of exports of these products was 19.8 million metric tons. See the latest data the U.S. Department of Commerce in the infographic below.
For over a decade, the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) global affairs team has diligently addressed policy, market access and market development issues to expand on and reach overseas markets that are vital for our members and the agricultural industry. Since 2019, the AFIA has been a Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) cooperator, granting the association access to funds to work on behalf of our members (at no extra cost to them), including fostering relationships in target markets with trade associations, government, buyers and end users. Much of this work is done through educational opportunities, and I am excited to share of a recent opportunity with a small delegation from Vietnam.