Trade has been one of the main focuses in the agriculture industry over the past two years. Renegotiating trade deals with Mexico, Canada, and Japan have been a priority, and let?s not forget the trade war with China. Aside from these issues, we are still focused on maintaining and growing our existing markets around the world. However, we cannot assume that we are the only ones strengthening their position. One of our biggest competitors has put in a serious effort to challenge us even more in the export game.
Keeping a strong trade environment for U.S. agricultural products means understanding our competition. Brazil has been working to strengthen their infrastructure. This has been a concern for a few years in the United States. Dr. Sam Funk of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) says this is a concern that cannot go ignored any longer.
To this end the IFBF will be taking a market study trip down to Brazil to see the progress they are making first-hand.
Brazil has been able to grow its markets with the help of Chinese investments. China wants access to Brazilian corn and soybeans, which traditionally are cheaper in price, and they want to get those products efficiently with low transportation costs.
Funk reminds us that U.S. producers are very good at what they do. We can feed the world in a very efficient way. The problem is a lot of our infrastructure needs updating or repair. We cannot afford to let this hinder our export markets. We cannot stand in our own way.
As the Congress prepares to take a holiday break before a Presidential election year, there are going to be a lot of contentious discussions as they try to one-up each other for control of either Congressional house. Infrastructure should be one of the things that bring lawmakers together across the aisle. It is up to us as constituents to make this known.
