New USDA office opens doors in China

The USDA opened a new office in China.
The USDA opened a new office in China.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced recently it opened a new office in China.

The Agricultural Trade Office is located in Shenyang, which is the capital of Liaoning province. The official opening was attended by Jim Miller, undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said China is an important market for goods produced by U.S. farm equipment and members of the sector. The new office, he said, will help exporters get more face time in the region.

"Increased agricultural exports create important income opportunities for producers as well as the off-farm jobs that are so critical for strengthening economies in rural America," Vilsack said.

President Barack Obama recently instituted a new goal to double U.S. exports over the next five years. Previous reports from the USDA have shown agricultural products are leading the way with that goal as the sector reaches toward record production numbers.

U.S. farm equipment users may also see a benefit in a recent increase in global demand. Russia announced it has banned exports of its grains in the face of drought conditions.