Pakistan has potential as U.S. ag export market
Farm and Ranch August 19, 2009 There has been turmoil in Pakistan with an economic crisis, a new government and problems with terrorists, but the U.S. Agricultural Attaché in Islamabad, Joseph Carroll says; Carroll: “Some of the fundamentals within the economy are surprisingly strong.” And Carroll says Pakistan has the potential to be a bigger market for U.S. farm products than it is today. Carroll: “United States agriculture has some long term trade interests in Pakistan. We have a long history of trade. Pakistan has been in and out of the market. I think if we look long term they are a net food importer. It is an attractive wheat market. It is an attractive edible oil market. It is one of our top cotton markets. So I think there is a lot of opportunity and room for our two economies to further engage in trade.” In 2008 U.S. agricultural exports to Pakistan totaled about 400-million dollars, three-quarters of which was cotton. It used to be a major export market for Pacific Northwest soft white wheat but is currently more self-sufficient. Carroll does see a specific opportunity in feed grains. Carroll: “Pakistan has the world’s 4th largest dairy herd. They do have a growing poultry sector. They are feed deficit.” USDA Agricultural Attaché to Pakistan, Joseph Carroll. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ?
