In U.S. agriculture, we often hear that the country accounts for only 5% of the global population, meaning international markets offer immense opportunities. However, entering global markets is not always easy, and the impact of doing so successfully cannot be underestimated.

While recent tariff policies involving Canada, Mexico, and China dominate headlines, they should not deter businesses from pursuing a blue ocean strategy in international trade. A January article in the New York Times called President Trump the “Deal Maker in Chief,” and I believe the current administration will work to expand opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports.

Africa: A Growing Market for U.S. Agriculture

In 2020, during President Trump’s first term, efforts were made to establish a trade agreement with Kenya, and reviving such discussions could be a significant win. Kenya’s economy has grown at an average of 5% annually in recent years, reflecting a region with rising populations and increasing disposable income. More broadly, Sub-Saharan Africa presents key opportunities:

  • A highly diverse economic region, including low- to high-income countries
  • The world’s largest free trade area, covering a 1.2-billion-person market
  • Projected economic growth of 3% in 2024 (up from 2.4% in 2023) and 4% by 2025-26
  • A rapidly expanding workforce, expected to grow by 740 million people by 2050

While navigating emerging markets is challenging, the potential success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) highlights the region’s potential for expanded trade partnerships.

India: A High-Growth Consumer Market

India is another key market for U.S. agricultural exports. During the first Trump administration, preliminary discussions began around a trade framework. The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service identifies three primary growth drivers for U.S. agricultural exports to India:

1. Strong GDP growth, estimated at 6.9%

2. Rising consumer spending and dietary diversification

3. Rapid urbanization, increasing demand for processed foods and feedstuffs

As India’s 1.4-billion-person population grows and urbanizes, demand for grain, feed, and protein sources will rise, creating opportunities for exporters.

Expanding Markets Beyond Africa and India

Beyond Africa and India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East boast rapidly expanding aquaculture and dairy industries, driving demand for feedstuffs. Countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are scaling up production to meet rising consumer demand. Additionally, Middle Eastern nations are seeking reliable grain and feed imports to sustain their growing livestock and dairy sectors.

Seizing Trade Opportunities

The opportunities for U.S. agriculture in global trade are clear. Both government-led trade deals and private-sector partnerships can open new doors for U.S. grain handlers and exporters. I remain optimistic that this administration will take proactive steps to turn trade potential into tangible agreements — helping U.S. agriculture secure its place in an evolving global market.

Brent Boydston is the founder of Ag Center Solutions, advising clients on government policy, trade, and foreign market development. He previously served as chairman of the U.S. Grains Council, leading efforts to expand global markets for U.S. grains and ethanol. Before that, he was the Corn, Cereal Grains, and Digital Agriculture lead at Bayer Crop Science, managing key industry relationships. His experience also includes roles at the Colorado Farm Bureau and on Capitol Hill, where he worked on major agricultural and trade policies, including the 2008 Farm Bill and the Colombian Free Trade Agreement. Boydston holds degrees from Kansas State University and Colorado State University and comes from a multi-generational farming family in Kansas.