Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that USDA is investing in approximately 70 U.S. agricultural organizations to help expand commercial export markets for their goods. “The funding announced today will ensure that U.S. agriculture remains a bright spot in America’s economy and a driving force behind export growth,  job creation, and our nation’s competitiveness,” Vilsack said in announcing the program.

Under the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will allocate a total of $29.7 million to 24 trade organizations that represent U.S. agricultural producers.  The organizations, which must contribute a minimum 50 percent cost share toward the program, will conduct activities that help maintain or increase demand for U.S. agricultural commodities overseas.

Under the Market Access Program (MAP), FAS will provide $183 million to 67 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives.  MAP participants must contribute a minimum 10 percent match for generic marketing and promotion activities and a dollar-for-dollar match for promotion of branded products by small businesses and cooperatives.

The USA Poultry and Egg Export Council received $5,000,948 under MAP and $1,266,251 under  FMD.