USDA’s Michelle Bekkering Discusses New Export Markets and Trade Opportunities for California Farmers
By Dan, November 3, 2026
On this episode of the AgNet News Hour, Michelle Bekkering, Acting Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), joined Nick Papagni to delve into expanding international markets for American agricultural products, new trade agreements, and opportunities for California’s specialty crop growers.
Bekkering, who previously served as Deputy Under Secretary alongside Luke Lindberg, emphasized her commitment to continuing USDA’s international trade initiatives while assisting American farmers in navigating challenging economic conditions. Growing up on a family farm in northwest Iowa, she understands the struggles faced by producers, particularly in the face of rising input costs and international competition.
A key focus of the discussion was the agricultural trade deficit. Bekkering highlighted the administration’s success in reducing the U.S. agricultural trade deficit from approximately $50 billion to $25 billion, attributing this improvement to new trade frameworks and efforts to expand access to foreign markets. She stressed USDA’s dedication to promoting California commodities, such as table grapes, dairy products, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and other specialty crops.
Rather than relying solely on established trading partners, Bekkering explained that USDA is focused on diversifying agricultural exports and establishing connections with emerging markets. Agricultural trade missions play a crucial role in this strategy, bringing American producers and agricultural businesses directly together with international buyers. She characterized these meetings as "speed dating for trade", where USDA facilitates individual connections between exporters and buyers interested in their products. Upcoming missions include Vietnam and Singapore, with eight more planned for 2027.
The conversation also explored USDA’s approach to agricultural trade negotiations, including ongoing efforts to improve market access in China and expand ethanol exports to Mexico. Bekkering discussed the administration’s international food assistance initiatives, emphasizing USDA’s dual goal of addressing global hunger while creating additional demand for American-grown agricultural products.
For California growers facing high production costs, Bekkering emphasized USDA’s understanding of the importance of maintaining premium prices rather than engaging in price competition.