U.S. Agricultural Producers Face Growing Competition in Southeast Asia

A recent trade mission to Southeast Asia has highlighted the growing competition U.S. producers are facing in the region.

Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, led a delegation that met with Japanese and Philippine buyers to discuss agricultural exports.

The buyers expressed concerns about the price of ag products such as beef, pork, wheat, and ethanol compared to other countries. McHargue emphasized that while prices may be competitive, the U.S. is still a better bet for quality due to its reputation and trading relationships with these countries.

He called for infrastructure improvements in the U.S., particularly at ports, to help level the playing field and enable American producers to compete with countries like Brazil.