Nebraska Lt. Governor Mike Foley was talking about the importance of exports to Nebraska farmers while at Husker Harvest Days on Tuesday. Foley just returned from Japan ahead of Governor Pete Ricketts who is still in the country conducting a trade mission. He says Japan is an important customer for Nebraska farmers.
Foley concentrated on beef trade and although it’s a mature market, its one he says continually needs to be nurtured.
He says the Trans Pacific Partnership is a key to expanding the beef and other markets for Nebraska products in Japan.
Foley admits the exchange rate is hurting U.S. beef movement and contributing to the lower exports of all protein going into Japan.
The U.S. dollar has climbed recently in relationship to the Yen making U.S. beef more expensive in Japan.