LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts is discussing Nebraska’s beef products with one of the state’s largest customers in the European Union.

The governor’s inaugural trade mission team met Monday with company officials from Inalca, an Italian beef distributor.

Ricketts says the face to face meeting was important to better understand the business and learn how Nebraskans can assist the company in expanding its customer base. Nebraska exported more than $136.7 million in beef products to the European Union last year.

The trade mission is scheduled to stop in Italy, Belgium and Denmark from June 7-16.

Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach says Nebraska needs to continue building its relationships with existing European partners.