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 funding aims to build demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential global markets.
Launched in October 2023, RAPP authorizes $1.2 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding to help U.S. exporters expand their customer base beyond traditional markets. The program focuses on regions such as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South and Southeast Asia, where consumer demand and purchasing power are growing.
“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 across various products and markets. Examples include:
- The Cranberry Institute will conduct trade education seminars and other consumer-focused activities to target export opportunities in India, Brazil, Colombia, and Southeast Asia.
- The Southern Forest Products Association aims to open new market opportunities for Southern yellow pine products throughout the Caribbean region through educational seminars and promotional events.
- The Hazelnut Marketing Board will undertake market research and trade missions to support market development in several African countries.
- The U.S. Dairy Export Council plans to expand its presence in Africa by understanding and developing dairy import regulations and regulatory frameworks in many markets.
- The U.S. Meat Export Federation will expand its efforts to new markets in the ASEAN region and Africa, as well as enhance investment in the convenience store segment in South Korea, Central America, and Colombia.
- The Brewers Association will tap into the craft beer market in Southeast Asia by participating in the region’s premier brewing trade show and festival and bringing buyers from the region to top U.S. trade shows.
The complete list of organizations that received RAPP funding can be viewed at the USDA website.
