Fresh produce organisations receive market access and market development support
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced it is awarding more than US$212mn through the Market Access Programme (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programme to help expand export markets for US food and agricultural products.
The MAP and FMD programmes are longstanding cost-share partnerships that help producers build and maintain a competitive presence in the global marketplace.
“USDA’s market development programs 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 J Lindberg.
“Partnering with industry ensures that these resources are deployed efficiently and effectively, and that decisions are farmer-driven.”
For the 2026 financial year (12 months to 30 September 2026), FAS will provide more than US$181mn to 68 non-profit organisations and cooperatives through MAP. MAP supports a range of consumer-focused promotion for small businesses and cooperatives and is widely used by organisations representing fruits, nuts, processed foods and intermediate bulk commodities. On average, MAP participants contribute more than US$2.50 for every federal dollar invested, demonstrating strong industry commitment and leveraging of private-sector resources.
MAP participants include American Peanut Council (US$2.3mn), American Pistachio Growers/Cal-Pure Produce (US$1.6mn), Blue Diamond Growers/Almond Board of California (US$3.4mn), California Prune Board (US$3.1mn), California Table Grape Commission (US$2.3mn) California Walnut Commission (US$3.6mn), Florida Department of Citrus (US$3.2mn), National Potato Promotion Board (US$4.2mn), Pear Bureau Northwest (US$2.7mn), Sunkist Growers, (US1.8mn), Washington Apple Commission (US$5.5mn) Washington State Fruit Commission (US$1.7mn) and more.
Through the FMD program, FAS will allocate more than US$31mn for FY26 to 18 trade organisations representing US agricultural producers. FMD supports long-term market development with a focus on generic commodity promotion, rather than individual brand promotion.
Preference is given to organisations that represent broad industry sectors with nationwide membership, with an aim to deliver the greatest economic benefit for US agriculture. On average, FMD participants contribute US$3.25 per federal dollar invested, again demonstrating a shared, successful investment in expanding global demand for US commodities.
FMD participants include the Almond Board of California (US$335,869mn) and the American Peanut Council (US$522,854).
