More than $203 million will be awarded to nearly 70 agricultural organizations to help expand U.S. food and agricultural export markets through two USDA programs. The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is distributing the funds through the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program.
“Over the years, we have seen the tremendous impact both MAP and FMD have on expanding U.S. exports to markets across the globe,” FAS Administrator Daniel B. Whitley said in a news release. “For each $1 invested in export market development, U.S. agricultural exports have increased by more than $24. These programs provide a significant boost to the U.S. agricultural industry, which in turn helps strengthen the economy not just in rural communities but across the entire United States.”
Through MAP, FAS will provide $174.3 million for fiscal year 2024 to 68 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives. Funding used for consumer promotion, including brand promotion for small companies and cooperatives, is utilized extensively by organizations promoting fruits, vegetables, nuts, processed products, and bulk and intermediate commodities, according to the release.
Organizations receiving MAP funds include Blue Diamond Growers/Almond Board of California ($2.85 million), American Pistachio Growers/Cal-Pure Produce ($1,879,102), U.S. Dairy Export Council ($4,587,026), and Sunkist Growers, Inc. ($1,857,369).
Through FMD, FAS will allocate $27 million to 20 trade organizations representing U.S. agricultural producers. The FMD program focuses on the generic promotion of U.S. commodities rather than consumer–oriented promotion of branded products. Preference is given to organizations representing an entire industry or that have a nationwide membership or scope.
Organizations receiving FMD funds include the Almond Board of California ($173,502), the U.S. Dairy Export Council ($636,059), the Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (291,884), and the American Soybean Association ($7,369,343).
According to the USDA, organizations receiving MAP and FMD funds contribute on average more than $2.50 for every $1 in federal funding received through the program.
留言