Page Two	E-mail PagePrint Version

WASHINGTON, DC - 01/14/04 - The US Department of Agriculture (DOA) has opened new Agricultural Trade Offices, or ATOs, in Beijing and Manila. 

The offices were opened because of the growing agricultural trade between the US and Asia, according to a DOA spokesman, who added that US exports of agricultural products to China are forecast to reach $5.4 billion this fiscal year, compared with $3.5 billion sold in 2003 and $1.8 billion in 2002.

China is the fourth largest export market for US agricultural products and has recently become a strong market for US soybeans. In addition to the new Beijing ATO, the Agriculture Department's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) operates ATOs in the Chinese port cities of Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The Philippines is also a growing and dynamic market, the spokesman said.

"With US exports of agricultural, fish and forest products totaling $677 million in fiscal 2003, the Philippines ranks among our top 20 markets," she said.

Currently, the FAS has 80 agricultural affairs and trade offices worldwide covering 130 countries. Trade offices in key markets function as service centers for US exporters and foreign buyers seeking market information.

US agricultural trade offices and attache offices provide foreign buyers with up-to-the-minute communication with potential suppliers in the US. They also assist US exporters in launching products in markets with diverse food preferences, social customs and marketing systems.

Go back, or read the latest Page Two stories:

MEXICO LIFTS CALIFORNIA LETTUCE BAN

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – 10/20/06 – The weeks-old ban on California lettuce shipments to Mexico has been lifted after US Department of Agriculture tests for the E. coli bacteria proved negative; California is the country’s leading producer of lettuce with an estimated 70-75% of the total US production of iceberg lettuce and between 80-85% of the leaf lettuce.