The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that Daniel Whitley, administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, is in Manila to initiate a trade mission.

According to a July 18 news release, the purpose of this trade mission is to foster strong ties and business partnerships between the U.S. and the Philippines. Whitley was joined by representatives from 29 U.S. agribusinesses, agricultural organizations and 10 state agriculture agencies interested in exploring export opportunities.

“The USDA Philippines trade mission will offer an abundance of opportunities for both the United States and the Philippines,” Whitley said in the release. “I’m confident the next few days will produce mutually beneficial results to help expand trade, increase collaboration on key issues impacting agriculture in both our countries and ultimately strengthen Philippine food security."

Whitley also stated that the Philippines is currently the eighth-largest market for U.S. food and agricultural exports, with a five-year average of $3.1 billion, according to the release.

"We’re looking forward to increasing sales and meeting the growing demand from Filipino consumers for U.S. foods,” Whitley said in the release.

The trade mission will also feature the signing of three memorandums of understanding, the release reported. These signings include a USDA-funded initiative to combat African Swine Fever in the Philippines as well as a measure to establish stronger economic connections between the Province of Batangas and agricultural departments in the U.S.

The third memorandum of understanding between Mariano Marcos State University and the U.S. Grains Council will strive to boost biofuel alternatives and climate-smart practices, according to the release.