Governor Terry Branstad. (file photo)

Iowa’s governor has scheduled a trade mission to South America this summer. Governor Terry Branstad will visit Brazil and Chile in late July.

According to the governor’s office, Brazil is Iowa’s sixth-largest trading partner. Last year Iowa exported more than $527 million worth of commodities and products to Brazil, a 50% increase over the previous year.

Chile imported more than $88 million of Iowa goods in 2011. In a written statement, Branstad said his visit to Brazil and Chile “will help Iowa companies in expanding their markets outside of the U.S., which will lead to more jobs here at home.”

In Brazil, the trade delegation will visit Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre. In Chile, the delegation will stop in Santiago, the country’s largest city and its capital.

State officials plan to invite executives from Iowa businesses that hope to expand trade ties in the two countries to go on the trip. The trade delegation will leave July 21st and return the 28th.