U.S. secures new agricultural trade gains in Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced expanded agricultural market access for American producers in Thailand and Vietnam and the restoration of dairy exports to Brazil. The move is part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce non-tariff barriers and strengthen U.S. agricultural trade.

According to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, the measures will benefit various segments of the American agricultural sector. “Expanded access to Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam will result in millions in added trade for the U.S.,” she stated. “Under President Trump’s leadership, I have fought to give our producers greater access to markets across the globe.”

Brazil: suspension on dairy exports lifted

On June 9, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) lifted a suspension on U.S. dairy company Agropur, which had been barred from exporting whey protein concentrate powder due to non-compliant protein levels. The suspension, imposed on May 22, was reversed following technical interventions by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and Agricultural Marketing Service. In 2024, U.S. exports of whey protein concentrate powder to Brazil totaled $83 million.

Thailand: expanded access for apples and citrus

On June 4, Thailand’s Department of Agriculture reauthorized imports of U.S. apples from Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These eastern states now join California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington as approved sources. The expanded access is expected to generate an additional $5 million annually on top of the existing $20 million in apple exports from western states.

The same day, Thailand amended its citrus import requirements to allow fruit grown in Arizona but packed and shipped from California. This policy shift follows advocacy by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and is projected to add approximately $385,000 in annual citrus exports.

Vietnam: green light for California stone fruit

On June 6, Vietnam’s Plant Production and Protection Department approved the import of fresh peaches and nectarines from California. The authorization, based on U.S. systems-based phytosanitary measures, enables an estimated $2.5 million in annual exports to Vietnam.

broader trade strategy

These market openings are part of a broader USDA strategy involving trade missions to the U.K., Italy, Japan, Vietnam, India, Peru, and Brazil. Missions to the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mexico are also scheduled for this year.

The USDA attributes the current push to regain and expand market access to policy reversals following what it describes as a period of trade deterioration under the previous administration. According to the agency, the agricultural trade balance shifted from a surplus under President Trump to a nearly $50 billion deficit under President Biden.