The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of agricultural trade promotion programs for the fiscal year 2026, opening applications for four key export market development programs. The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has made available funding opportunities for these programs, aiming to assist U.S. agricultural producers in promoting and selling their products overseas.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins emphasized the department's commitment to expanding export markets for American farmers in a statement. "Our job at USDA is to open new markets for our farmers, ranchers, and producers. The previous administration left agriculture with a $50 billion trade deficit. President Trump and I will not sit idly by - we are actively working to open new markets and remove existing barriers," said Secretary Rollins. "We are putting farmers first. These programs are a crucial step in sustaining long lasting economic growth in rural America."
Accompanying this announcement, Secretary Rollins shared details on scheduled international trade trips to Vietnam, Japan, India, Peru, Brazil, and the United Kingdom over the next six months. These trips aim to bolster U.S. agricultural exports on the global stage.
The USDA will accept applications until June 6, 2025, for the following programs:
- The Market Access Program (MAP) has a budget of $200 million annually, dedicated to helping U.S. agricultural industry organizations promote a variety of products to international consumers.
- The Foreign Market Development (FMD) program awards $34.5 million each year to aid U.S. farmers, processors, and exporters by resolving long-term import constraints and discovering new markets.
- The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC) provides $9 million annually to fund projects that tackle barriers threatening exports of U.S. specialty crops.
- The Emerging Markets Program (EMP) utilizes $8 million annually to support activities aimed at developing opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports in emerging markets.
Through these programs, the FAS establishes partnerships with non-profit agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, state agencies, and small businesses to foster overseas market growth.
The programs are funded through mandatory statutory funding as directed by Congress. USDA underscores its responsibility in managing taxpayer funds and will ensure a good return on investment for these initiatives.
