The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an additional $300 million for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants, aimed at bolstering U.S. food and farm exports in emerging markets such as Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and South and Southeast Asia. This funding, part of a second round of grants, brings the total RAPP allocation for 2024 to $600 million.
The USDA revealed that $25 million of this latest funding is earmarked specifically for projects focusing on Africa. Interest in the program has been substantial, with eligible entities submitting project proposals exceeding $1 billion, far surpassing the available funding.
The first $300 million in RAPP funds, announced in May 2024, has already helped U.S. producers access new international markets. Applications for the second round opened in August, attracting submissions from agricultural trade organizations, state regional trade groups, agricultural cooperatives, and state agencies.
USDA highlighted the significant growth of U.S. agricultural exports in recent years, achieving record-breaking numbers. In 2022, exports reached nearly $196 billion, with 2023 following at close to $175 billion. Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, USDA and the U.S. trade representative have facilitated over $26.7 billion in agricultural market access.
This year alone, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has preserved $8.8 billion in total agricultural exports. Additionally, since 2022, the USDA has issued $9.4 billion in loan payment guarantees to diversify U.S. agricultural export markets. In 2024, $2.3 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds were used to support market development and combat global food insecurity.
The USDA is also addressing specific agricultural challenges beyond RAPP. It has allocated $100 million to support specialty crop producers in expanding their export market opportunities. Furthermore, $1 billion from the CCC is being directed towards international food assistance programs, which aim to strengthen global food security while benefiting U.S. agricultural producers.
“RAPP is a critical tool for helping U.S. producers and agribusinesses stay competitive in today’s global trading environment,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated. “The Biden-Harris approach to trade is delivering results for U.S. agriculture through record exports and improved relationships with current and future trading partners, and this investment supports actions that build on the global demand for American agriculture’s high-quality products.”
The USDA’s expanded efforts underline its commitment to strengthening U.S. agriculture’s global presence and supporting food security worldwide.
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