Market Development

Through its market development programs, FAS works in partnership with the U.S. food and agricultural industry, state departments of agriculture, and others to help exporters develop and maintain global markets for the full spectrum of U.S. farm and food products, from bulk commodities to specialty foods.

By boosting agricultural export revenue and volume, FAS market development programs support U.S. farm income and enhance the overall U.S. economy. In fact, USDA's Economic Research Service shows that, in 2022, every $1.00 of U.S. agricultural products exported generated a total of $2.09 of domestic economic activity and supported 1.25 million American jobs.

Studies have shown that USDA export market development programs generate high benefit-cost ratios, with U.S. agricultural export value increasing by $24.50 for every dollar invested between 1977 and 2019.

Learn more about FAS market development and trade promotion programs below, and also by visiting the Exporting section of our site.

Resources

Economic Impact of USDA Market Development Programs

Agricultural Trade Multipliers (USDA-ERS)

Programs

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Market Development

Market Access Program (MAP)

Helps finance activities to market and promote U.S. agricultural commodities and products worldwide.
Market Development

Foreign Market Development Program (FMD)

Provides cooperator organizations with cost-share funding for activities that build international demand for U.S. agricultural commodities.
Market Development

Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP)

Provides funding for projects that enable exporters to break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets.
Market Development

Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC)

Funds projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.
Market Development

Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE)

Supports efforts by the specialty crops industry to address non-tariff trade barriers when opening or expanding export markets.
Market Development

Emerging Markets Program (EMP)

Funds technical assistance activities to promote exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to emerging markets worldwide.
Market Development

Quality Samples Program (QSP)

Helps U.S. organizations provide small samples of their agricultural products to potential customers overseas.
Market Development

Agricultural Trade Promotion Program

Provides cost-share funding to help U.S. agricultural exporters develop new markets and mitigate the adverse effects of other countries’ trade barriers.

Data and Analysis

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Fact Sheet

Commodity Fact Sheets - U.S. Ag Trade Policy Advances

Since USDA first established a stand-alone mission area focusing on trade and international affairs in 2017, USDA’s Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and the Foreign Agricultural Service have made significant trade policy advances to support U.S. agriculture. This series of commodity fact sheets highlights the many recent trade policy advances achieved by USDA.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

China: US Pavilion at 2024 China Food and Drinks Fair

The 2024 China Food and Dinks Fair (CFDF, also called Tangjiuhui) which includes a pre-show and expo, will be held from March 16-22nd, 2024, in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province. As one of China’s largest food and beverage trade shows...
Attaché Report (GAIN)

China: Chinese Buyers Seek Opportunities in the United States with Travel Restrictions Lifted

Chinese buyers are traveling back to the United States and showing strong interest in U.S. products. Since the reopening of China to travel, four delegations have participation in reverse trade missions to the United States with many others traveling...

News and Features

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News Release

USDA Announces Agricultural Trade Promotion Programs for FY 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for 2025 and accepting applications for four export market development programs.
Stakeholder Notice

USDA Accepting Applications for FY 2025 Export Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from eligible organizations for fiscal year 2025 funding for five export market development programs.
Feature

FAS Expands Presence in Mexico with New Guadalajara Office

USDA is expanding its footprint in Mexico with the opening of FAS's newest international office in Guadalajara.