In February the Iowa Department of Economic Development led a trade mission to South Korea and Japan with various members of Iowa ag groups and businesses to promote Iowa ag products and expand trade opportunities. April Hemmes is the district 2 director with the Iowa Soybean Association and was a part of the trip to Japan and South Korea to advocate for Iowa soybeans. Hemmes says the trip featured several Iowa ag groups that were excited to promote their products overseas.
Hemmes says that Japan and South Korea have long been very important trade partners with the United States and Iowa and keeping the relationship strong is vital.
Hemmes says that the quality and the consistency of United States agricultural products make them very popular in foreign markets.
She says that consumers appreciate talking with and interacting with farmers who grow and raise the food that they eat.
The Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network spoke with April Hemmes at Commodity Classic 2023 in Orlando Florida.