Cargo Business Newswire

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

U.S. gives out $196.5 million to help boost ag exports

By Richard Knee

The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service says it is giving out 84 cash awards totaling nearly $196.52 million to help 65 industry organizations to market their products abroad this year and the agency is inviting applications for funding assistance in 2015.

The FAS, part of the Department of Agriculture, is awarding roughly $171.87 million among 62 non-profit groups and cooperatives through the its Market Access Program, in which it shares overseas marketing and promotional costs with trade associations, cooperatives, state and regional trade groups and small businesses to build export markets for fresh produce, nuts, processed foods, and bulk and intermediate commodities.

The rest is being awarded among 22 agricultural producers' and processors' organizations through the Foreign Market Development Program, in which the groups work to maintain or increase the demand for U.S. agricultural commodities abroad. The organizations on average contribute nearly triple what they receive in federal resources, the FAS said.

Funding amounts range from $45,759 to the Mohair Council of America to slightly more than $18.6 million to the Cotton Council International. The latter comprises awards of $15.42 million through the Market Access Program and nearly $3.2 million through the Foreign Market Development Program.

The groups include 19 that are receiving cash under both programs.

Also among the 10 highest-amount MAP recipients are the U.S. Meat Export Federation, $14.07 million; the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, nearly $9.64 million; the American Hardwood Export Council, APA – the Engineered Wood Association, Softwood Export Council and Southern Forest Products Association – nearly $9 million; Food Export USA Northeast, nearly $8.14 million; the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association, nearly $8.1 million; the U.S. Grains Council, $6.73 million; the Wine Institute, $6.32 million; U.S. Wheat Associates, $5.97 million; and the Southern United States Trade Association, $5.87 million.

Besides the cotton group's award, the top amounts through the FMD Program are going to the American Soybean Association, nearly $5.2 million; U.S. Wheat Associates, nearly $4.18 million; the hardwood export group, nearly $2.66 million; and the grains group, nearly $2.44 million.

The complete list of award recipients is available at usda.gov