Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $300 million to 66 U.S. organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). This initiative aims to build demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential markets globally.
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 markets. The focus regions include Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South and Southeast Asia, where consumer demand and purchasing power are increasing.
“USDA and the entire Biden-Harris Administration are focused on creating more, new and better markets for U.S. producers and agribusinesses, and exports are a critical part of that effort,” Vilsack said. “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.”
The initial round of RAPP funding will support hundreds of projects covering various products and markets:
- The Cranberry Institute plans trade education seminars targeting export opportunities in India, Brazil, Colombia, and Southeast Asia.
- The Southern Forest Products Association is focusing on market opportunities for Southern yellow pine products throughout the Caribbean region.
- The Hazelnut Marketing Board will conduct market research and trade missions in several African countries.
- The U.S. Dairy Export Council aims to expand its presence in Africa by developing dairy import regulations.
- The U.S. Meat Export Federation plans to enhance its export efforts to new markets in ASEAN countries as well as Africa.
- The Brewers Association will participate in Southeast Asia’s premier brewing trade show while bringing buyers from the region to top trade shows in the United States.
To view the complete list of organizations that received RAPP funding, visit: FY 2024 RAPP Funding Allocations.
The USDA touches American lives daily through various initiatives under the Biden-Harris Administration aimed at transforming America’s food system with a focus on local food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to nutritious food, building new income streams using climate-smart practices, investing in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department.
For more information about USDA's programs, visit www.usda.gov.
