The US Highbush Blueberry Council has been awarded US$513,948 from the USDA’s Market Access Program to drive export growth in priority markets
The US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has been awarded US$513,948 from the US Department of Food and Agriculture’s (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP) to expand export opportunities for the country’s blueberries.
The MAP and Foreign Market Development programmes are longstanding cost-share partnerships that help producers build and maintain a competitive presence in the global marketplace.
“USDA’s market development programmes crowd in private sector capital to help promote US food, fuel and fibre to foreign buyers,” said under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs Luke Lindberg.
“Partnering with industry ensures that these resources are deployed efficiently and effectively, and that decisions are farmer-driven.”
The Council noted the MAP funding is ”invaluable” to the blueberry industry.
The USHBC maintains an international market development programme aimed at expanding global demand for US blueberries through targeted trade and consumer initiatives.
Priority markets include South Korea, Japan, India, Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, it noted.
All activities are strategically designed to build awareness, drive preference and increase sales of US blueberry products across both fresh and processed categories.
“The impact of funding for export promotion is profound for the blueberry industry,” said USHBC president Kasey Cronquist.
”These grants are critical to our efforts to expand into high-value markets like Vietnam, India and South Korea, and we’re grateful for the USDA’s continued support.
“This funding allows us to build on our success in driving global consumption and spreading the word about the quality, versatility and health benefits of US blueberries to new consumers around the world,” Cronquist added.
