Potatoes USA receives $6.5 million in federal funding to expand export opportunities

Editor’s note: The headline of this article has been updated to reflect the correct amount.

Potatoes USA has received $6.5 million in federal funding to pursue expanded export opportunities for U.S. potatoes as well as other activities to support diversified marketing development opportunities.

The funding is part of $300 million allocated to 66 U.S. organizations under the USDA’s new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), designed to build demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential markets worldwide.

After the program was announced last October, Potatoes USA representatives met with potato industry leaders and global partners to apply for a variety of activities to bolster market development opportunities, according to a news release. Last month, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the $6.5 million allocation in RAPP’s initial funding round to the organization.

Vilsack authorized $1.2 billion in Commodity Credit Corp. funding in launching RAPP to help U.S. exporters expand their customer base beyond established markets, focusing on regions including Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia.

“USDA and the entire Biden-Harris Administration are focused on creating more, new and better markets for U.S. producers and agribusinesses, and exports are a critical part of that effort,” Vilsack said in announcing the program. “By enabling U.S. exporters to expand their footprint in diverse and dynamic new markets, RAPP will help make them more competitive and resilient in an increasingly volatile global trading environment. We know the potential is out there, but it takes time and money to grow new markets.

“USDA is pleased to be able to provide the startup capital to help tap into these opportunities, because if we are serious about reversing the decline of small and mid-sized farms, and building wealth that stays in rural communities, it’s crucial that we create and sustain diverse market opportunities abroad as well as at home.”

Other examples of organizations’ use of initial funding include:

• The Cranberry Institute will use $1 million in funding to conduct trade education seminars and other activities targeting export opportunities in India, Brazil, Columbia and Southeast Asia.
• The Hazelnut Marketing Board will use $455,000 to conduct market research and trade missions in several African countries.
• The Brewers Association will use $2 million to participate in Southeast Asia’s premier trade show and festival in an effort to tap into the region’s burgeoning craft beer scene.

A full list of organizations receiving funding, including the California Fruit Association and the Organic Trade Association, is available online.