The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recently returned from a trade mission to Colombia.

“This trade mission allowed us to further establish our working relationship with government leaders and key buyers in Colombia,” says Jen Pino-Gallagher, DATCP’s bureau director of Agricultural Market Development. “These contacts will benefit Wisconsin agricultural companies interested in expanding their exports to Colombia, where there is enormous prospects for growth.”

The mission — made possible through support from the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc. and the U.S. Department of Agricultural Foreign Agricultural Service — included one-on-one meetings with qualified buyers, tours and attendance at the AgroExpo trade show.

While in Colombia, staff met with customs brokers, regulatory officials and distributers to better understand the market. The group also connected with the largest dairy cooperative, representatives of dairy and beef associations, and the National Livestock Union.

BouMatic LLC, Lallemand, Accelerated Genetics, Immuno Dynamics and the American Jersey Cattle Association were part of the trade mission.

Dairy farming currently thrives in both Colombia’s highlands and coastal plains, according to DATCP. There is potential for Wisconsin agribusinesses to export feed, feed ingredients, livestock genetics and agricultural equipment to that country.

The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement went into effect in 2012, providing immediate duty-free access for various animal feeds. Additional tariffs will phase out over 12 years. PD

—From DATCP news release