(NAFB.com) – USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitely arrived in Lima (LEE-mah), Peru, this week to begin an agribusiness trade mission to expand market access. The goal is to boost U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru. Whitley is leading a delegation of more than 50 agribusinesses and trade groups as well as five state departments of agriculture, all working to strengthen economic ties and improve the trade balance. Peru is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America, and the U.S. is Peru’s second-largest agricultural supplier. Despite bilateral trade growing by 263 percent since 2009 to $5.3 billion, the trade deficit persists. Export prospects in Peru are strong, especially in beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, tree nuts, ethanol, wine, and distilled spirits. “I’m honored to lead this delegation as we work to strengthen vital connections and grow U.S. agricultural exports,” said Whitley.