USDA has allocated $300 million to 66 organizations in the United States - including the Cherry Marketing Institute, the U.S. Grains Council, and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council - to create demand for the export of American food and agricultural products in high-potential markets worldwide.
Through the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), USDA has authorized $1.2 billion in funding from the Commodity Credit Corp. to help U.S. exporters expand their customer base beyond established markets. The regions targeted are Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia.
Among the beneficiaries are the Cherry Marketing Institute, which will receive $450,000, the USGC, which will receive $17 million in funding, and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, which will receive $1.3 million. The American Soybean Association received the largest amount of funding, totaling $28.5 million.
"These funds will go to over 60 partner organizations that will help create demand for U.S. agricultural and food exports in high-potential markets worldwide," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
"We will fund hundreds of projects, covering a wide and vast variety of products and markets, from creating demand for American meat exports in Africa to promoting American olives in Latin America, to breaking down trade barriers for white coffee in Japan."
Read the full article: Farm Progress
Image: AgMRC
14 Sep 2023
The invasive Drosophila suzukii is a devastating pest for small fruit, stone fruit and grape crops. An antagonist will now be released in Switzerland for the first time by Agroscope and CABI. Experimental releases are planned in the cantons of Jura and Ticino.
05 Oct 2023
In Prunus species, it forms complexes with sorbitol and fructose, which allow it to move through the phloem. During the initial growth phase, fruits exposed to boron exhibited a lower presence of heat shock proteins.
01 May 2026
Sweet cherry cracking significantly impacts yield and market quality. Research highlights the key role of pectins and calcium in cell adhesion and tissue stability, offering valuable insights to reduce fruit splitting and improve orchard management strategies.
01 May 2026
Fruit cracking in cherry trees in India can cause losses of up to 85%, affecting quality and market value. This article examines physiological and environmental causes and highlights effective strategies, from irrigation to nutrient management, to reduce damage.
