The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has opened a new office in Hanoi, Vietnam which is expected to "play a vital role" in helping expand annual exports of US$2.5 billion to the Asian country. 

“Growing agricultural trade between the United States and Vietnam means new opportunities for American producers,” said Greg Ibach, USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. 

"With this increase in trade comes increased pest and disease risk, and our in-country expertise will ensure the safest trade possible, while still providing greater options for U.S. consumers.

"Having an APHIS office in the heart of Hanoi will not only help maintain existing markets, but foster new opportunities for American farmers who set the worldwide standard for food production."

USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs Ted McKinney said Vietnam was "one of the fastest-growing global markets for U.S. farm and food products", currently ranking as the 11th-largest customer.

“The expansion of USDA’s presence in Vietnam is a clear indication of this country’s importance as a U.S. trading partner," he said.

"The on-the-ground technical expertise of the APHIS team will be an important complement to the trade policy and market development work being done by our Foreign Agricultural Service staff at the USDA Office of Agricultural Affairs in Hanoi, as well as our office in Ho Chi Minh City.”

The APHIS Hanoi office will maintain technical working relationships with their Vietnamese counterparts to resolve any concerns associated with the science-based standards both countries employ to prevent the introduction of animal and plant pests and diseases.

By doing so quickly and locally, APHIS says it can help keep trade moving and benefit the producers and economies of both countries.

According to UN Comtrade data, the North American country exported US$309 million worth of nuts to Vietnam last year, along with US$35 million of apples and pears, US$33 million of grapes, and US$9 million of stonefruit.

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