The American Feed Industry Association says a trade agreement with Japan will allow America’s animal food and ingredient manufacturers greater access into Japan’s marketplace.

President Donald Trump recently notified Congress of his intent to sign an agreement with Japan.

AFIA President and CEO Joel G. Newman says the organization is hopeful the agreement “will show progress” in bringing the U.S. animal food industry closer to tariff levels offered to U.S. competitors in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Japan represents the United States’ third-largest export market behind Canada and Mexico for feed, feed ingredients and pet food products at a value of $986 million in 2018.

The agreement is expected to be signed along the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month.

Agriculture has welcomed the agreement because it will remove market access barriers for U.S. exports to Japan.

Top U.S. agricultural exports to Japan currently include beef, corn, pork, soybeans and wheat, totally $13 billion last year.