McAuliffe leading trade mission to Colombia
Published
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is leading a trade and marketing mission to Bogotá, Colombia.
He is being accompanied by Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore, representatives from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), and a number of Virginia agribusinesses and distributors.
The value of Virginia agriculture and forestry exports to Colombia was $54.5 million last year, a new high. The exports included pork, grains and soybean meal, among other products. Colombia was Virginia’s 15th largest customer for agriculture and forestry exports last year
Juan Carlos Pinzón, an Colombian ambassador to the U.S., earlier this year invited McAuliffe to visit his country to develop a trade relationship and capitalize on the benefits of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in 2012.
The trip marks the governor’s 20th trade and marketing mission and his first to Colombia. His delegation will attend more than 40 meetings over the course of the two-day mission.
