New resource aims to bolster specialty crop exports

A new resource from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) aims to help American vegetable, fruit and nut exporters expand into new markets while navigating global pesticide regulations.

FAS recently introduced maximum residue limit (MRL) quick reference sheets to help U.S. growers and shippers understand residue standards required by major export destinations. The reference sheets provide details on hundreds of active ingredients and their corresponding MRLs across foreign markets, helping producers comply with complex international regulations.

The MRL quick reference sheets are part of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative, a partnership between USDA and the specialty crop sector designed to reduce non-tariff trade barriers for American exports.

Developed in collaboration with Bryant Christie, the MRL quick reference sheets will be updated twice a year and will eventually cover 60 different specialty crop commodities. They are free to download and accessible for use at the field level by growers, input suppliers and exporters.

MRLs refer to the maximum levels of pesticide residues considered safe for consumption, as determined by each country’s regulatory authority. Because these limits vary from one market to another, staying informed is essential for maintaining export eligibility.

The new sheets complement other support offered through the ASCE initiative, including access to FoodChain ID’s Regulatory Limits MRL database and USDA engagement with foreign governments to address MRL-related trade concerns.