USA – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment of USD 300 million to 66 organizations across the United States, aiming to expand demand for American agricultural exports in emerging markets worldwide.
This initiative, known as the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy to diversify export opportunities for U.S. producers and agribusinesses.
Among the recipients of the USDA’s funding is the Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW), which has been granted USD 4.025 million under the RAPP program.
This investment aims to grow PBNW’s efforts to promote USA Pears in high-potential markets globally, particularly in regions like the Philippines and the Caribbean.
Kevin Moffitt, President and CEO of PBNW, expressed gratitude for the allocation, emphasizing the significance of export programs for fresh pear growers in Washington and Oregon. Moffitt commended the export team’s efforts in securing the grant, highlighting the vital role these funds will play in supporting the industry’s growth.
Jeff Correa, PBNW Director of International Marketing, outlined the strategic utilization of the RAPP funds to maximize their impact. Collaborating with the Export Promotion Committee, PBNW aims to enhance social media outreach, produce engaging video and photo content for various markets, and support promotional activities over the next few seasons.
Correa underscored PBNW’s intention to explore new market opportunities while re-entering markets in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of leveraging the RAPP funds to complement existing Market Access Funds (MAP) and strengthen exports to key markets like Mexico and Canada.
“We’re also grateful to USDA Secretary Vilsack and the Foreign Agricultural Service leadership for their tireless work in making this grant a reality,” Correa concluded, acknowledging the collaborative effort required to facilitate agricultural expansion and market diversification.
Building resilience: USDA’s commitment to agricultural export growth
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the USDA’s commitment to fostering resilience and competitiveness within the agricultural sector through initiatives like RAPP.
With a focus on expanding into dynamic new markets, Vilsack emphasized the importance of creating diverse opportunities for U.S. exporters to thrive globally.
“By enabling U.S. exporters to expand their footprint in diverse and dynamic new markets, RAPP will help make them more competitive and resilient,” stated Vilsack.
He stressed the necessity of sustained investment in export development to support the revitalization of rural communities and the long-term success of American farmers and businesses.
As the USDA allocates significant funding to propel agricultural exports into new frontiers, organizations like PBNW are poised to seize opportunities for growth and market expansion.
With a strategic approach to utilizing RAPP funds, coupled with ongoing support from government agencies, the future looks promising for American agriculture on the global stage.
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