Bill Northey

Bill Northey

Several Iowans, led by Ag Secretary Bill Northey, are wrapping up a trade mission this week.

The group left for the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica on Sunday and is due to return to the state Friday. Tina Hoffman, spokesperson for the Iowa Economic Development Authority, says representatives from the Iowa Beef Industry Council, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, and several Iowa-based businesses are on the trip.

“Costa Rica is the 21st largest destination for Iowa exports and the Dominican Republic is currently ranked 54th, in terms of Iowa exports,” Hoffman said.

Some of the Iowa produced shipped to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica include meat, animal feed, oil seeds and grains, cereals, machinery and mechanical appliances, plastics, and various chemicals.