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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. 

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. 

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) welcomed three new employees in the past six months: Taylor Lekin, Ivy Torres, and Madison Wyman. This past January, all three attended the International Production & Processing Expor in Atlanta, Ga., for the first time. Below, they share their experiences attending their first ever IPPE.  

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.  

The first week of October was very exciting for the American Feed Industry Association’s global affairs team. Gina Tumbarello, Mallory Gaines and I went to Vietnam to host AFIA’s first in-country program. Our Vietnam programs are made possible by AFIA’s cooperator status with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the funding awarded through the FAS’s Market Access Program (MAP).

“If we don’t find overseas markets for our products, many farmers, many producers, go out of business.”

That was the message Daniel Whitley, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, told the American Feed Industry Association’s Board leadership at a recent meeting. Our global policy team would strongly agree - the future of American agriculture, and the U.S. animal food industry, will be contingent on demand from beyond U.S. borders.

From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, one cannot help but marvel at evidence of a rich and varied culture influenced by war, colonialism and communism. Overlaying all of this is intense growth fueled by a national commitment to economic liberalization and the desire to fully integrate into the world economy.

In a time when maintaining international sales is more challenging, growing your business and diversifying risk is imperative. Taking advantage of federal programs that support this objective can provide a unique addition and complement to your global efforts.