USDA's $25M push to expand crop exports

New funding to enhance global crop trade

The USDA recently announced a pivotal $25 million investment through its Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative, aimed at advancing the interests of U.S. specialty crop producers internationally. This funding underscores the Administration's commitment to expanding agricultural markets and enhancing economic development. 

Alexis M. Taylor, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, highlighted the importance of addressing the specific challenges faced by specialty crop exporters, such as complex import requirements and lack of scale for negotiation and certification.

Through ASCE, the USDA is fostering partnerships that help U.S. exporters navigate these barriers more effectively.

Among the beneficiaries of the ASCE funding, Clemson University and the Foundation for Fresh Produce will focus on developing innovative, sustainable packaging solutions, a critical area as international packaging standards evolve.

Additionally, the Minor Use Foundation will enhance efforts to establish more favorable pesticide residue limits, a significant factor in international crop trade.

Other projects, led by organizations like CABI and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, will work across various regions, from Southeast Asia to Latin America, to harmonize pesticide regulations and foster clearer, more predictable market access for U.S. producers.

This funding allocation is a strategic move by the USDA to not only support the specialty crops sector but also to drive broader economic benefits across agricultural communities, reinforcing the U.S. as a leader in global agriculture.

Through initiatives like ASCE, the USDA is enabling U.S. farmers to achieve greater market access and competitiveness on the world stage.