Minnesota farmers and US agriculture industry leaders are heading to Morocco and Portugal as part of a trade mission aimed at strengthening agricultural trade, logistics and market opportunities between North America, Africa and Europe.

The multi-state delegation, led by the United States Identity Preserved Alliance (USIP Alliance), will travel from August 30 to September 4 to explore opportunities for two-way agricultural trade.

Representatives from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio will participate alongside officials from state agriculture departments and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Morocco Emerging as Key Agriculture Market

Morocco will be a major focus of the mission, with the delegation planning seminars and visits to the Casablanca and Tanger Med ports.

Agriculture contributes almost 15% of Morocco’s GDP, while agriculture, fishing and forestry employ nearly half of the country’s workforce.

Despite its significant domestic agricultural sector, Morocco is also a major importer of agricultural commodities, including feed grains, pulses, rice, livestock products, dairy, poultry and soybeans.

The country imported around $180 million of US soybean meal in the 2024/25 marketing year, making it an important market for American farmers.

US-Morocco Trade Creates Opportunities

The United States and Morocco have maintained a free trade agreement since 2006, making Morocco the only African country with a US free trade agreement.

That relationship provides a platform for discussions around agricultural exports, port infrastructure, food processing and access to wider African, European and Middle Eastern markets.

For US producers, Morocco offers more than an export destination. Its strategic position could make it an important gateway into broader regional markets.

Ports and Logistics Take Centre Stage

The delegation will also examine the role of ports and transportation infrastructure in expanding agricultural trade.

The Tanger Med and Casablanca ports are important components of Morocco’s international trade network, while the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway provides US farmers with access to global markets.

Improving connections between agricultural producers, ports, shipping companies and buyers could help make trade more efficient and open additional markets for both African and American producers.

Two-Way Trade Benefits Both Markets

The mission highlights the growing importance of two-way agricultural trade rather than simply increasing exports in one direction.

While Morocco represents an opportunity for American agricultural commodities, stronger trade links can also create opportunities for African agricultural products, businesses and processors to reach international markets.

For Africa, partnerships with international agricultural producers can also bring expertise in logistics, processing, technology and supply-chain management.

As African countries seek to expand value-added agricultural production and strengthen food security, deeper commercial relationships with global markets could become increasingly important.

The Minnesota-led mission demonstrates how US agriculture trade with Africa is evolving beyond commodity exports towards broader cooperation in logistics, processing, technology and market development.