U.S. and Morocco Deepen Agricultural Ties Through Inbound Trade Mission Led by NASDA

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The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) concluded a successful inbound trade mission with a high-level Moroccan agricultural delegation, held June 22–28 in California. The initiative marked a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral agricultural cooperation and fostering long-term trade relationships between the United States and Morocco.

“This visit was an important step in further strengthening agricultural ties between Morocco and the U.S.,” said NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. “It’s clear there is a strong appetite on both sides to build long-term trade relationships grounded in shared values and innovation.”

The mission followed NASDA’s January 2024 trade visit to Morocco, where Moroccan leaders expressed strong interest in expanding their partnerships with U.S. agricultural sectors. Building on that momentum, the June visit gave Moroccan delegates a comprehensive, firsthand look at the innovation, quality, and accessibility of American agricultural products and practices.

Organized under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), the weeklong program provided unique opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Delegates explored a wide array of topics central to modern agriculture, including artificial intelligence, regulatory alignment, port logistics, biotechnology, food safety, and water and soil resource management. The discussions also emphasized shared priorities in drought resilience and trade opportunities in high-value commodities such as tree nuts and citrus.

A major highlight of the program was the Moroccan delegation’s participation in the Salinas Biological Summit, where they engaged directly with California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross following her keynote remarks. These discussions further underscored the mutual commitment to deepening agricultural ties and exploring innovative, sustainable practices.

The Moroccan delegation included senior officials from the country’s food safety authority, as well as top executives from leading agricultural enterprises such as Stellar International Enterprises, AMA Holding, Moulins Atlantic, and Mundiriz. Their presence reflected Morocco’s diverse and growing agricultural sector and its intent to build strategic relationships with U.S. counterparts.

U.S. regional perspectives were also prominently featured during the mission, with representatives from the Kansas and New Mexico departments of agriculture and the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association joining portions of the program.

The mission was coordinated in close collaboration with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Rabat, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Almond Board of California. Through this collective effort, the visit laid essential groundwork for ongoing engagement and future trade partnerships between Morocco and the United States.

NASDA’s role in advancing international engagement reflects its broader mission to expand global market access for U.S. agricultural producers. With continued strategic collaborations and exchange programs, the organization remains at the forefront of promoting American agriculture on the world stage.