WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2008-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
today announced that it has funded more than $234 million in fiscal year
2008 to 70 U.S. trade organizations to help promote American farm
products overseas.
"Agricultural trade is absolutely vital to the U.S. economy," said
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. "This funding will help U.S. farmers
and ranchers develop overseas consumers who value the United States as
an excellent supplier of superior agricultural products."
The funding announced today has been allocated under the Market Access
Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development Program, both
administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.
The Market Access Program 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 trade groups, and cooperatives. Activities conducted with MAP
funding include market research, consumer promotions for retail
products, and seminars to educate overseas customers.
Under the Foreign Market Development program, USDA establishes a
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.
For more information about exports or 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 2008 program allocations are attached.
Fiscal Year 2008 Market Access Program Allocations
Participant Allocation
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute $5,009,685
American Forest and Paper Association $9,309,336
American Peanut Council $2,477,734
American Seed Trade Association $41,601
American Sheep Industry Association $333,074
American Soybean Association $4,443,480
Blue Diamond Growers/Almond Board of California $2,852,709
Brewers Association $313,279
California Agricultural Export Council $1,024,711
California Asparagus Commission $232,103
California Cherry Advisory Board $373,298
California Cling Peach Board $237,705
California Fresh Tomato Growers/Florida Tomato Committee $373,620
California Kiwifruit Commission $321,800
California Pear Advisory Board $178,474
California Pistachio Export Council/Cal-Pure Pistachios, Inc. $830,800
California Prune Board $3,103,144
California Strawberry Commission $1,019,816
California Table Grape Commission $3,595,571
California Tree Fruit Agreement $2,488,136
California Walnut Commission $4,087,466
Cherry Marketing Institute $275,436
Cotton Council International $20,660,669
Cranberry Marketing Committee $1,626,014
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States $147,692
Florida Department of Citrus $5,962,365
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA $10,230,370
Food Export USA Northeast $8,368,422
Ginseng Board of Wisconsin $351,393
Hawaii Papaya Industry Association $135,900
Hop Growers of America $50,756
Intertribal Agriculture Council $766,386
Mohair Council of America $38,123
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture $4,026,501
National Confectioners Association $1,473,067
National Honey Board $207,030
National Potato Promotion Board $5,184,364
National Renderers Association $896,074
National Sunflower Association $1,226,303
National Watermelon Promotion Board $169,098
New York Wine and Grape Foundation $301,770
Northwest Wine Promotion Coalition $881,845
Organic Trade Association $363,113
Pear Bureau Northwest $3,577,866
Pet Food Institute $1,434,572
Raisin Administrative Committee $3,037,738
Southern United States Trade Association $6,905,241
Specialty Coffee Association of Puerto Rico $62,000
Sunkist Growers, Inc. $4,202,886
Texas Produce Export Association $112,831
The Catfish Institute $289,419
The Popcorn Board $177,928
U.S. Apple Association $892,157
U.S. Dairy Export Council $4,511,398
U.S. Dry Bean Council $1,112,097
U.S. Grains Council $8,191,306
U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. $866,640
U.S. Meat Export Federation $15,351,211
U.S. Wheat Associates $6,531,290
USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council $999,299
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council $5,379,580
USA Rice Federation/U.S. Rice Producers Association $4,665,156
Washington Apple Commission $4,834,387
Washington State Fruit Commission $1,021,992
Welch's Food $967,687
Western United States Agricultural Trade Association $10,676,049
Wine Institute $7,481,814
Evaluation $727,223
TOTAL $200,000,000
Fiscal Year 2008 Foreign Market Development Program Allocations
Cooperator Allocation
American Forest and Paper Association $2,764,177
American Peanut Council $740,695
American Seed Trade Association $47,375
American Sheep Industry Association $186,792
American Soybean Association $6,924,682
Cotton Council International $4,491,078
Leather Industries of America $163,768
Mohair Council of America $14,223
National Hay Association $62,179
National Renderers Association $984,234
National Sunflower Association $284,360
North American Millers Association $58,679
U.S. Dairy Export Council $695,441
U.S. Dry Bean Council $114,886
U.S. Grains Council $5,528,241
U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association $93,460
U.S. Livestock Genetics $704,699
U.S. Meat Export Federation $1,861,763
U.S. Wheat Associates $5,392,923
USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council $205,838
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council $1,699,756
USA Rice Federation $1,480,751
TOTAL $34,500,000
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