USDA Announces $300 Million for Trade Development

On November 29^th, USDA announced a new funding opportunity, providing up to $300 million for projects that open access to new markets, and increase growth in existing markets.  The program is being launched under the USDA’s Regional Agricultural Program (RAPP).  The program’s funds will be available to non-profit State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs), US agricultural cooperatives, and approved state agencies that conduct market development activities.  This announcement from the USDA comes a few weeks after they released their 2024 International Trade Plans, emphasizing their goal to promote US agriculture exports abroad in “non-traditional” markets.  Top eligible markets for RAPP funding are: 1) Africa, 2) Latin American/Caribbean, and 3) South/Southeast Asia.  The new RAPP program complements GCCA’s Farm Bill initiative, the FRIDGE Act, to build supply chain capacity to boost good and agriculture trade.