The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has been awarded $800,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). The USDA initiated the $1.2 billion RAPP program in October 2023 to develop new export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products, extending beyond traditional partnerships with Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and China.
"We thank the USDA for recognizing AFIA as the leading authority in the animal feed, feed ingredient, and pet food trade," said AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman. "This support will enable us to expand our efforts in developing and expanding export markets for U.S. animal food products. We look forward to leveraging this support to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. animal food in emerging markets and contribute to the broader goal of agricultural export diversification.”
In 2023, the export value for feed, feed ingredients, and pet food stood at $13.4 billion, with a total export volume of 19.8 million metric tons, highlighting the significant role the animal food industry plays in U.S. agriculture exports.
The USDA’s RAPP, launched in response to a bipartisan request from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, provides funds to eligible entities, including agricultural trade organizations like AFIA, state regional trade groups, cooperatives, and state agencies. The program aims to facilitate export expansion, address trade barriers, and promote American agricultural products in new markets.
