The United States and Kenya began free trade negotiations this week. Steve Mercer with U.S. Wheat Associates says if a good FTA can be achieved it has the potential for raising the amount of wheat going to that African country from the present five percent market share if tariffs can be reduced or removed.
He says there’s also some trade barriers that need to be eliminated which an FTA could provide.
Mercer says clearing up that flag smut barrier would also open up more trade in another African country for U.S. wheat.
In 2018, U.S. total exports of agricultural products to Kenya totaled $37 million. Leading domestic export categories were $10 million of coarse grains, $6 million of wheat and $5 million of pulse crops.
