International Resources

PMA Reaches Around The Globe...and benefits members in over 50 countries

When it comes to produce and floral, the marketplace is truly the whole world, with unlimited opportunities for trade. PMA unites the global produce supply chain by bringing buyers and sellers together worldwide. We help you understand the issues and regulations affecting international trade. We open the door to an entire world of possibilities and help guide you along the way. And it all starts right here on this page.

U.S. Market and Trends Information: PMA is your source for everything you need to know to do trade with the U.S., including how to comply with U.S. regulations, U.S. product information, and U.S. consumer and market trends.

International Markets Information: In today’s global economy PMA recognizes its members’ need for information about markets all over the world by providing important information on hot and emerging markets.

International Trade Related Products & Resources: Members dealing in international trade will find these resources can help better understand and trade in the global market

PMA in Your Neighborhood: PMA recognizes the force of its global membership by listening to international industry leaders, adding international representatives to enhance member outreach, creating services built especially for its international members, and participating in global events. Learn how PMA is connected to your neighborhood.

International Coordination of Food Safety Regulations: As food distribution chains are increasingly stretched around the world, urgency has arisen for the creation of new food safety standards and stricter enforcement of existing food safety laws to ensure that food industry quality control and food processing standards provide a safe global food supply. Coordinating these International Governmental efforts is no easy task. In the United States alone, Food Safety Regulations are divided among multiple Government Agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). These U.S. agencies must then communicate with the equivalent Government Agencies of other countries. This site list many countries with their corresponding agency/agencies.

PMA provides you with relevant, important federal reports that will bring you information you need about the global economy and trade in the 21st century.

NAFTA AT 15: BUILDING ON FREE TRADE: Implementation of the agricultural provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has drawn to a close. In 2008, the last of NAFTA’s transitional restrictions governing U.S.-Mexico and Canada-Mexico agricultural trade were removed, concluding a 14-year project in which the member countries systematically dismantled numerous barriers to regional agricultural trade. During the implementation period, the agricultural sectors of Canada, Mexico, and the United States have become much more integrated. Agricultural trade within the free-trade area has grown dramatically, and Canadian and Mexican industries that rely on U.S. agricultural inputs have expanded. U.S. feedstuffs have facilitated a marked increase in Mexican meat production and consumption, and the importance of Canadian and Mexican produce to U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption is growing.

Released Tuesday, March 31, 2009

See http://wwwers.usda.gov/Publications/WRS0903/

THE 2008/2009 WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS: WHAT IT MEANS FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE: The world economic crisis that began in 2008 has major consequences for U.S. agriculture. The weakening of global demand because of emerging recessions and declining economic growth result in reduced export demand and lower agricultural commodity prices, compared with those in 2008. These, in turn, reduce U.S. farm income and place downward pressures on farm real estate values. So far, the overall impact on U.S. agriculture is not as severe as on the broader U.S. economy because the record-high agricultural exports, prices, and farm income in 2007 and 2008 put U.S. farmers on solid financial ground Moreover, the debt equity ratios in agriculture tend to be more conservative than those in most other sectors of the economy. There is much uncertainty concerning the depth and extent of the crisis. The outcomes for U.S. agriculture are dependent on whether or not there is a global realignment of exchange rates to correct current macroeconomic imbalances. *Released Monday, March 30, 2009- See http://wwwers.usda.gov/Publications/WRS0902/