Feb 13, 2018Study finds competition massively outspending U.S. on export promotion
A study conducted by Informa Economics and funded by the National Potato Council, released Feb.9, showed several foreign governments outspending the U.S. by 4 to 1 on agricultural export promotion. The report focused on the European Union, Australia, Chile, China and New Zealand.
“The total public investment alone from just the EU and four European countries is expected to exceed $550 million in 2019, which is more than twice what the U.S. government authorizes for agricultural export development under the farm bill,” said Mark Powers, president of the Northwest Horticultural Council and chairman of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports.
The combined countries had increased their spending by 70 percent since 2011. During the same time, U.S. spending on agricultural export promotion declined by 12 percent due to the 2013 budget sequester and inflation.
The NPC said it is a strong supporter of enhancing funds for these vital USDA programs.
“Previous studies have indicated that the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program deliver huge returns to the U.S. economy,” said Kam Quarles, vice president of public policy for the NPC. “We need to keep pace with the competitive global marketplace by enhancing these investments in the next Farm Bill.”
The executive summary of the Informa Economics competitive study, and more in-depth information about MAP and FMD programs and their outcomes, are posted online at www.AgExportsCount.org.
