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The funding is part of USDA's response to trade war

July 22, 2019

2 Min Read
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Updated 8:29 a.m. July 22 with U.S. Meat Export Federation comment

USDA has awarded $100 million to 48 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets.

In May, President Trump authorized USDA to provide up to $16 billion in programs to support farmers, which is in line with the estimated impacts of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods and other trade disruptions. ATP is one of three programs that will assist agricultural producers.

“At USDA, we are always looking to expand existing markets or open new ones and this infusion of money will do just that,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said.

The 48 recipients are among the cooperator organizations that applied for $200 million in ATP funds in 2018 that were awarded earlier this year. As part of a new round of support for farmers impacted by trade disruption, those groups had the opportunity to be considered for additional support for their work to boost exports for U.S. agriculture, food, fish, and forestry products.

Among the recipients:

  • American Soybean Association has received $34 million in two allocations, $21 million in January 2019 and $12 million in July 2019.

  • U.S. Meat Export Federation has received $27 million, with $17 million in January and $10 million in July.

  • Food Export Association of the Midwest USA has received $20 million in two allocations, $13 million in January and $6 million in July.

  • Food Export USA Northeast has received $20 million, with $13 million in January and $6 million in July.

  • U.S. Grains Council has received $20 million, with $13 million in January and $6 million in July.

Since the $200 million in assistance was announced in January, U.S. exporters have had success, including:

  • a trade mission to Pakistan that generated $10 million in projected 2019 sales of pulse crops,

  • a new marketing program for Alaska seafood that led to more than $4 million in sales of salmon to Vietnam and Thailand,

  • and a comprehensive marketing effort by the U.S. soybean industry that has increased exposure in more than 50 international markets.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation expressed appreciation for the funding.

"While there has been progress in recent weeks in removing retaliatory measures imposed on U.S. red meat exports, the obstacles these products face in international markets are still significant," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s authorization of additional ATP funding - an investment that will help USMEF and other organizations defend our existing market share and develop new markets for U.S. agricultural exports."

 Source: USDA, USMEF, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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