Agricultural Trade Offices: One-Stop Service Overseas

摘要

In the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, Congress authorized the establishment of a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 25 agricultural trade offices. They are to be located in major market areas--in established cash markets, in evolving cash markets such as the newly rich OPEC countries and the planned economy markets of the Socialist world, and in the potential markets of developing nations. Sponsored by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the trade office staff facilitates the business of selling in foreign countries by establishing the government and business contacts necessary to implement U.S. sales; providing leads on potential buyers; arranging appointments; and setting up product displays. The agricultural trade officer who is in charge of each office stays on top of the prices prevailing in the market, the market situation, and customary methods of doing business, as well as the physical facilities which affect the import and marketing of U.S. goods abroad, such as storage and transportation systems. Thus, the U.S. businessman has ready access to background information he needs for the successful selling of his product. This brochure lists the agricultural trade offices around the world.