Agriculture Opportunities Abound in the US

Trade Minister Mark Vaile today announced the establishment of a new Agriculture Team within Austrade's US operations to assist Australian companies take advantage of opportunities arising from the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

"I am pleased to announce that Austrade is well advanced in the recruitment of a group of regional specialists to identify opportunities for Australian companies in the US$270.5 billion US Agriculture sector," Mr Vaile said.

"Under the AUSFTA, 66 per cent of agricultural tariff lines are now zero, and a further nine per cent will be reduced over the next four years. Never has there been a better time for farmers, agricultural suppliers and service providers to capitalise on the enormous opportunities on offer in the US.

"Australian agriculture is well known around the world for its efficiency and innovation. The AUSFTA provides the industry with a significant competitive edge when dealing with the world's largest importer of farm products.

"The Agriculture Team will be led by Austrade's Trade Commissioner in Chicago and consist of three other dedicated staff in Phoenix, Kansas City and San Francisco.

"These new export facilitators focused on agriculture are part of the Federal Government's election commitment to appoint 30 new export facilitators to work directly on opportunities arising from the AUSFTA," Mr Vaile said.

The group will complement the work already being undertaken by Austrade's specialist Food Team, and will target key areas of opportunity including agricultural technology, agricultural equipment, and services to agriculture.

New export advisers have already been engaged in Austin, Boston, Denver, Honolulu Houston, Miami, and Seattle, with additional staff also placed in the Washington and New York offices.

An additional seven mobile export advisers will be based in Austrade offices around Australia to facilitate AUSFTA opportunities and provide on-the-ground assistance to Australian exporters.

Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner - USA, Mr Geoff Gray, is currently touring regional areas of Australia to highlight the new and expanded opportunities in the US Agriculture sector.

To learn more about Austrade organised events, trade missions and services please visit www.austrade.gov.au or call 13 28 78.

Contacts: Richard Forbes (Minister Vaile) 02 6277 7420 - Gregory Harvey (Austrade) 02 9390 2703