Alexandria, Va. (February 11, 2025) – Agriculture trade promotion expert Rana Tarraf has joined the American Peanut Council as director of international programs. She will be responsible for helping to manage APC’s Agriculture Department-funded market development programs, including the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program and the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program.
Tarraf brings more than a decade of experience in market promotion, trade facilitation, research and market intelligence to APC. She served as a regional agricultural marketing advisor for the USDA’s Regional Office of Agricultural Affairs in Dubai, UAE. She has also worked as a consultant for various cooperator groups, research firms and the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC), of which APC is a member.
“We’re delighted to have Rana join APC at such a pivotal time for U.S. exports,” said Peter Vlazakis, vice president of international programs. “Her work experience at USDA will be invaluable as APC continues to expand efforts to build demand for American peanuts and peanut products in existing and emerging markets around the globe.”
Some of Tarraf’s accomplishments include coordination of the Foreign Agricultural Service Dubai’s participation in Dubai Expo 2020; execution of USAEDC’s 2024 Attache Seminar, with more than 400 participants; coordination of multiple trade missions and state promotional events in the UAE; and program implementation for the USA Pavilion at the 2020 FIFA World Cup.
Tarraf holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from Homs University in Homs, Syria.
“I'm excited to embark on this new journey with APC and contribute to the continued growth of the U.S. peanut industry,” said Tarraf. “With a shared commitment to innovation and development, I look forward to working with the team, leveraging my experience to strengthen the global presence of American peanuts and open new doors for success in international markets.”
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