The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s upcoming trade mission in mid-May will focus on expanding export opportunities in Hong Kong and the Southeast Asian market.

“In 2024, Hong Kong ranked as the 18^th largest market for U.S. ag products, importing $1.4 billion in goods,” says Mark Slupek, Foreign Agricultural Service acting associate administrator. “As a free port and gateway to South China, Macau, and Southeast Asia, Hong Kong offers strategic access to broader markets.”

Slupek says more than three dozen agribusinesses, trade organizations and representatives from several state agriculture departments make up the delegation for the May 12-16 ag trade mission. Similar to other missions meetings are scheduled for delegates and buyers from Hong Kong and the Philippines. However his says there are other aspects of the mission that are unique compared to other missions.

“It aligns with the U.S.A. pavilion at the HOFEX trade show,” Slupek says. “This dual effort will enhance visibility among regional buyers and allow us to reach more potential customers than either of the events would on their own.”

This will feature a demonstration kitchen that use recipes that will feature U.S. ingredients during the three-day trade show.

The trade mission will culminate with a media launch of a U.S spirits promotional campaign, the American Whiskey Trail-Hong Kong, which showcases specialty cocktails from participating establishments.

“The American Whiskey trail is a promotional activity designed to highlight American whiskeys to Hong Kong’s vibrate cocktail and bar scene,” Slupek says. “This campaign is supported by several major U.S. whiskey brands.”

Slupek says the mission will promote a variety of U.S. products across key sectors including soups and prepared foods, bakery goods, cereals, pasta, condiments, sauces, candies and alcoholic beverages like wine, beer and distilled spirits in particular.