USDA GRANTS $234 MILLION TO PROMOTE U.S. FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OVERSEAS
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2007-Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner today announced that USDA provided more than $234 million to help market American farm products overseas in the 2007 fiscal year that ended Sept 30.
"Promoting the product of the American farmer keeps the pathway open from the farm gate to the world markets," said Conner. "Satisfied customers around the world readily choose U.S. farm products once they have tasted the quality and experience the reliability of American agriculture."
The allocations were provided under the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), both administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.
The MAP uses funds from USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities with U.S. agricultural trade organizations, state regional groups and cooperatives. Activities conducted with MAP funding include market research, consumer promotions for retail products, and seminars to educate overseas customers.
Under the FMD program, USDA establishes a trade promotion partnership with nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations. Funding priority is given to organizations that represent an entire industry or are nationwide in membership and scope. Program activities focus on reducing market impediments, improving the processing capabilities of importers, modifying restrictive regulatory codes and standards in foreign markets, and identifying new markets or uses for U.S. products.
After final export numbers are tallied, U.S. agricultural exports for fiscal year 2007 are expected to reach $79 billion, making 2007 the fourth year of back-to-back records. Fiscal year 2008 exports are forecast to reach $83.5 billion.
For more information on exports and FAS' market development programs, contact the Office of Trade Programs at (202) 720-4327, or visit the following web site at http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/marketdev.asp
Fiscal year 2007 MAP and FMD program allocations are attached.
Market Access Program (MAP)
Organization
Total FY 2007 Allocation
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
$5,557,794
American Forest & Paper Association
8,822,028
American Peanut Council
2,309,130
American Seed Trade Association
99,403
American Sheep Industry Association
479,927
American Soybean Association
7,849,268
Blue Diamond Growers/Almond Board of California
2,237,329
Brewers Association
156,697
California Agricultural Export Council/Western Growers Association
981,929
California Asparagus Commission
292,736
California Cherry Advisory Board
459,295
California Cling Peach Board
812,745
California Kiwifruit Commission
176,629
California Pear Advisory Board
280,452
California Pistachio Commission* (first allocation only)
1,003,723
California Prune Board
3,338,691
California Strawberry Commission
903,472
California Table Grape Commission
3,334,372
California Tomato Commission/Florida Tomato Committee
1,492,216
California Tree Fruit Agreement
1,904,697
California Walnut Commission
3,502,195
Catfish Institute
338,357
Cherry Marketing Institute
277,495
Cotton Council International
23,661,572
Cranberry Marketing Committee
1,237,602
Distilled Spirits Council
86,686
Florida Department of Citrus
8,819,854
Food Export USA Northeast
7,032,872
Ginseng Board of Wisconsin
110,663
Hawaii Papaya Industry Association
100,309
Hop Growers of America
99,503
Intertribal Agriculture Council
588,865
Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council
8,431,959
Mohair Council of America
146,630
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
2,631,337
National Confectioners Association
1,684,263
National Dry Bean Council
1,028,682
National Honey Board
151,339
National Potato Promotion Board (USA Potato Board)
6,042,938
National Renderers Association
673,176
National Sunflower Association
1,028,393
National Watermelon Promotion Board
194,592
New York Wine and Grape Foundation
233,435
Northwest Wine Promotion Coalition
926,534
Organic Trade Association
301,525
Pear Bureau Northwest
3,882,140
Pet Food Institute
1,121,864
Popcorn Board
341,081
Raisin Administrative Committee
3,564,358
Southern United States Trade Association
8,220,415
Sunkist Growers, Inc.
3,499,997
Texas Produce Export Association
162,194
U.S. Apple Association
817,364
U.S. Dairy Export Council
4,051,416
U.S. Grains Council
7,313,245
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
96,502
U.S. Livestock Genetics, Inc.
1,115,949
U.S. Meat Export Federation
13,725,552
U.S. Wheat Associates
4,176,296
USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council
919,206
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council
4,444,548
USA Rice Federation/U.S. Rice Producers Association
3,799,107
Washington Apple Commission
5,299,376
Washington State Fruit Commission
791,226
Welch's Food
709,235
Western United States Agricultural Trade Association
11,224,679
Wine Institute
8,450,941
Sub-total
$199,550,000
Reserve
450,000
.
.
Total
$200,000,000
.
.
*Due to the dissolution of the California Pistachio Commission, its second allocation of $855,495 has been rescinded.
