Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is allocating $300 million to 66 U.S. organizations, under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), to build demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential markets around the globe.
The initial round of RAPP funding will help recipient organizations carry out hundreds of projects encompassing a wide variety of products and markets. Some of the organizations receiving funding include:
American Soybean Association - $28,500,000
U.S. Meat Export Federation - $21,000,000
The U.S. Meat Export Federation plans to expand its export efforts to new markets in the ASEAN region and throughout Africa, as well as enhance its investment in the convenience store segment in South Korea, Central America and Colombia.
Cotton Council International - $19,000,000
U.S. Dairy Export Council - $10,000,000
The U.S. Dairy Export Council plans to expand its presence in Africa by utilizing RAPP funding to better understand and develop dairy import regulations and regulatory frameworks in many markets.
Blue Diamond Growers/Almond Board of California - $10,000,000
California Walnut Commission - $7,000,000
American Pistachio Growers/Cal-Pure Produce, Inc. - $5,000,000
California Table Grape Commission - $3,350,000
Sunkist Growers, Inc. - $1,450,000
California Fresh Fruit Association - $1,000,000
Secretary Vilsack launched RAPP in October 2023, authorizing $1.2 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding to help U.S. exporters expand their customer base beyond traditional and established markets, focusing on regions such as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South and Southeast Asia, where consumer demand and purchasing power are growing.
“By enabling U.S. exporters to expand their footprint in diverse and dynamic new markets, RAPP will help make them more competitive and resilient in an increasingly volatile global trading environment. We know the potential is out there, but it takes time and money to grow new markets. USDA is pleased to be able to provide the start-up capital to help tap into these opportunities, because if we are serious about reversing the decline of small and mid-sized farms, and building wealth that stays in rural communities, it’s crucial that we create and sustain diverse market opportunities abroad as well as at home." said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
To view the full list of companies receiving RAPP funding, click here.
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