Page 4 - World Trade Center Delaware - 2019

NEW DECADE SHOWS GROWTH FOR DELAWARE IN GLOBAL MARKETPLACE
As we get ready to enter a new decade, the global marketplace continues
to experience tremendous growth, providing opportunities for Delaware’s agribusinesses, food producers, and life-science companies. Delaware remains a leader in agricultural production with poultry, grains,
fruits and vegetables, and value-
added products at the top of the list. Our competitiveness comes from having the quality, safety,
innovation, and consistency that global consumers demand, along with the infrastructure necessary to export globally.
Approximately 95% of the world’s population and 67% of
the world’s total purchasing power are located outside of
the United States. When making the decision to export products, market intelligence plays a major role in where to introduce a product. Our staff has a strong network of trade representatives across the world who provide us with insight into new and existing markets. Overall, the reports continue to indicate that many global economies are continuing to improve. The middle class is growing, and the demand for our products is there – from processed foods to fresh, healthy produce to seafood.
On a global stage, consumers are watching new trade agreements come to fruition, markets open, and competition for U.S. products increase. The opening of Chinese markets has been something that we have been looking forward to for a number of years. The ability to export poultry to China will help our producers here on Delmarva and across the United States. The United States has had an extremely long and beneficial trading relationship with both Canada and Mexico, our No. 1 and No. 3 trading partners respectively. Ultimately, we want to see the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement finalized so that we can resume liberal agricultural trade between our countries. Delaware farmers export melons, sweet corn, and many other products to Canada. We are working with companies in Mexico – the No. 1 destination
for U.S. poultry – to provide agricultural products that their consumers want.
Delaware has an advantage of being within a day’s travel of one-third of the nation’s population. That not only means our products can ship up and down the East Coast, but companies from other states have the opportunities of utilizing our infrastructure for exporting and importing product. In 2018, Gulftainer – GT USA signed an agreement to lease the Port of Wilmington, the largest North American port for fresh fruit and vegetables, for the next 50 years. A full-service deep-water port and marine terminal, the Port of Wilmington has the ability to ship agricultural products around the world.
Delaware is on the cutting edge of some of the most modern advances in food and agriculture. Over the past year, the Delaware Department of Agriculture has hosted numerous dignitaries, farmers, and businesses from countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. While agriculture brings us to the table, we learned that our innovation is key to the sustainability of their economies. Many countries are dealing with drought for the first time. For others, they are battling invasive pests that are damaging their crops. Delaware agriscience and precision agriculture companies are playing a critical role in overcoming these barriers by creating new technologies and making adaptations to current ones so that farmers around the world can continue to increase yield and produce nutritious food.
As you reflect on the success of your business this year and where you want see your company in the upcoming decade,
I would encourage you to consider your options for exporting. From fresh produce, poultry, pet foods, agricultural products, and more – you might be surprised who is interested in
what you have to offer. Feel free to reach out to our staff
at the Delaware Department of Agriculture to start the conversation.
BY MICHAEL T. SCUSE
Delaware Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary Scuse speaking with students at WTCA general assembly 2019.
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