With agricultural exports booming, Kentucky
hired international trade specialist Silvia Alonso to
direct the state’s Mexico trade office in July 2008.
She works under a contract between the state
and trade consultant Global Business Partners
Mexico. Kentucky’s Guadalajara trade office is a joint
venture of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
and the state Cabinet for Economic Development.
“This is an opportune time for Kentucky
producers to expand markets beyond our borders.
I am pleased to have someone with Ms. Alonso’s
qualifications to help our producers sell more
Kentucky Proud products in Mexico,” Agriculture
Commissioner Richie Farmer said.
Alonso previously worked in Pennsylvania’s
Mexico trade office, where she helped some
200 businesses with market research, business
assistance, customs and tariff assistance,
cooperation agreements with federal and state
governments, and market entry strategies.
Mexico is Kentucky’s third-largest trade partner,
trailing only Canada and France. Exports from
Kentucky to Mexico in 2007 totaled $1.4 billion,
including $30.5 million in agricultural products.
The latest forecast predicts U.S. agricultural
exports will reach a record $114 billion in fiscal
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2008, a dramatic increase of nearly 40 percent
($32 billion) over 2007. Grains and animal products
account for most of the export gains.
In March 2008, Commissioner Farmer and
Mexico officials signed an agreement by which
Kentucky’s and Mexico’s equine industries will
share knowledge and resources, and set up
commercial and technical exchanges to improve
both equine industries.
Kentucky’s horse industry has had success
selling horses to Mexico worth “about $17 to $18
million,” said Keeneland President Nick Nicholson.
Live animal exports to Mexico totaled approximately
$91 million in 2007, of which 25 percent consisted
of horses, jacks and hinnies.
To find how KDA can assist with international
marketing, or to contact international marketing
director Jonathan Van Balen, go to www.kyagr.com/
marketing/agribusiness/international/index.htm.
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