COLUMBUS, Ohio – A delegation from the Vietnamese government and business community, led by H.E. Do Duc Duy, minister of Agriculture and Environment, visited Ohio on Wednesday to sign a series of memorandums of understanding with U.S. agricultural companies. 

The Columbus stop was part of a multistate mission that began in Iowa on Monday. In total, the Vietnamese delegation is expected to enter into agreements to purchase more than $2 billion in U.S. agricultural products, including corn, soybeans, distiller’s dried grains with solubles, wheat, meat and timber.

Vietnam chose Ohio because of its strong agricultural sector, modern infrastructure and history of innovation in food and commodity production, a news release from the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association states. The state’s central location and agricultural expertise make it an ideal link between the American heartland and rapidly growing Southeast Asian markets.

“Food and agriculture are Ohio’s No. 1 industry, and we depend on our farmers to fuel our economy and support the global food supply,” said Brian Baldridge, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. “We’re proud to work alongside our agricultural partners to strengthen international connections and create new opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities.”

The timing of the new agreements is significant for Ohio’s farm economy, as producers face rising costs, lower commodity prices and a need to access new markets for soybeans, grains, meat, timber and other agricultural products.

“These agreements represent a major win for Ohio corn farmers,” said Patty Mann, chair of the Ohio Corn Checkoff. “Vietnam continues to be a growing and reliable export market, and partnerships like this help ensure we can keep delivering high-quality, Ohio-grown products to the world.”

Following the stop in Columbus, the Vietnamese delegation was to travel to Washington, D.C., and Maryland to continue discussions with federal officials on trade and tariff matters.

“These MOUs are the result of years of relationship-building and strategic collaboration,” said Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. “Vietnam is an increasingly important market, and these agreements reflect the strength of our ongoing relationship.

Pictured at top: Participants in the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony in Columbus. (Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association)