World Trade Center Kentucky

LEXINGTON (June 26, 2018) — World Trade Center Kentucky (WTC-KY) recently returned from an agriculture and agribusiness-focused trade mission to Canada, led by Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles.

The Canada 2018 Trade and Business Mission, organized by WTC-KY and presented by Kentucky Farm Bureau and Masterfeeds/Alltech, took place June 18-22, 2018 in Toronto and Guelph.

Kentucky businesses that attended the mMission include the University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, Hust Farms, the Kentucky Equine Education Project, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the Lancaster/Garrard Industrial Development Authority, SUL4R – PLUS, and, Equus Run.

“America makes and grows the best products in the world. In Kentucky, our farmers and agribusinesses take pride in our long history of providing food and fiber for not only the Bluegrass State but for other countries as well,” Commissioner Quarles said. “That’s why it is no surprise that nearly 20 percent of Kentucky’s agricultural exports go to Canada: they simply want to buy the best, ranging from bourbon to horses. While on the first-ever Kentucky agriculture trade mission to Canada, we strengthened existing relationships and discovered new economic opportunities for our hard-working farmers. We look forward to continuing the work at home by connecting our farmers to new and existing markets in the years to come.”

Canada, the world’s 10th-largest economy and member of NAFTA, is Kentucky’s top agriculture and agri-food export market. In 2016 Kentucky’s agriculture and related industries exported $230 million to Canada.

“Learning about global markets and developing relationships outside the U.S. will be critical to the future growth of Kentucky agriculture. This well-organized trade mission allowed our delegation to network with political, education, business, and farm leaders in Canada, which undoubtedly will create future opportunities to expand Kentucky ag, food, and beverage trade with our friends north of the border. I look forward to strengthening the working relationship between the WTC-KY and Kentucky agriculture - a win-win for our state,” said Will Snell, extension professor at the University of Kentucky.

This mission was sponsored by Kentucky Farm Bureau, Masterfeeds/Alltech, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.