U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins says USDA is accepting applications for fiscal year 2027 trade promotion programs.
These programs operate as powerful public-private partnerships and allow USDA to work with farmers to lower trade barriers with foreign governments, creating space for American agribusinesses to secure overseas sales. Applications are being accepted through 5 p.m. EDT, Aug. 14.
“At USDA, Farmers First means giving our hardworking farmers, ranchers and producers the tools they need to feed the world,” Rollins says. “USDA is using every tool it has to cut through the heavy red tape in overseas markets, leveling the playing field so that American producers can reach new buyers and bring dollars back to their farms, fields and rural communities.”
USDA’s trade promotion programs have a proven track record of delivering significant returns on investment. Since 1977, every taxpayer’s dollar invested in these trade initiatives has generated $24.50 in return in export value. By expanding global demand for American agricultural products, USDA injects an additional $45 billion into the U.S. economy each year and support more than 225,000 jobs.
The specific trade promotion programs accepting applications under this funding cycle include:
- Market Access Program — Provides cost-share assistance to assist U.S. exporters and trade organizations to promote U.S. agricultural, fish and forest products. (View details of the full notice.)
- Foreign Market Development Program — Partners with nonprofit trade associations to build long-term international demand for U.S. commodities. (View details of the full notice.)
- Emerging Markets Program — Supports technical assistance that grows and develops opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports in emerging markets. (View details of the full notice.)
- Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops — Funds projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that impact exports of U.S. specialty crops. (View details of the full notice.)
- Quality Samples Program — Helps trade organizations provide product samples to potential foreign importers to help familiarize them with U.S. agricultural products. (View details of the full notice.)
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will review all applications during the summer. FAS anticipates the announcement of final award selections this fall, with approved activities to begin in fiscal year 2027.
Related link: Learn more about USDA’s trade promotion programs.
