The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a trade mission to Taipei, Taiwan, starting Monday in an effort to expand trade opportunities for U.S. companies.

U.S. companies exported $624.14 million worth of soybeans to Taiwan in 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a trade mission to Taipei next week to expand trade opportunities for U.S. companies and boost U.S. agricultural exports. The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council is among 39 agribusinesses and trade organizations going on the trip. Photo by Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council UPI

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a trade mission to Taipei, Taiwan, starting Monday, in an effort to expand trade opportunities for U.S. companies, including boost U.S. agricultural exports.

The three-day trip will include 39 agribusinesses and trade organizations, and representatives from state agriculture departments in Idaho, Kansas and Montana, USDA said in a news release.

"With strong economic growth and proven demand for high-quality U.S. food in Taiwan, now is the time for U.S. agribusinesses to expand their presence," USDA's Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg, who will lead the mission, said. "This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers and help them forge partnerships to tap into this dynamic market."

Taiwan is the eighth largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, growing 16% from 2019 to 2024, USDA said.

The U.S. had a $3.1 billion agriculture trade surplus in 2024 with 25% of the Asian nation's import market.

More than half of the agricultural exports to Taiwan are fresh fruits, pet food, poultry and dairy products. Those items were worth more than $2 billion of the total $3.8 billion agriculture export value.

The two biggest categories were $709.6 million worth of beef and beef products, with a 122% 10-year growth, and $624.14 million worth of soybeans at 8%, according to USDA.

During the mission, participants will meet with buyers from Taiwan in an effort to increase partnerships.

USDA staff members will be on hand.

USDA has conducted recent missions to Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. They resulted in projected yearly sales of $64 million, according to USDA.