The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) announced it is awarding more than $212 million through the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program to help expand export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products.  

The MAP and FMD programs are longstanding cost-share partnerships that help producers build and maintain a competitive presence in the global marketplace.  

“USDA’s market development programs crowd in private sector capital to help promote U.S. food, fuel, and fiber to foreign buyers.” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “Partnering with industry ensures that these resources are deployed efficiently and effectively, and that decisions are farmer-driven.”

For fiscal year 2026 (FY26), USDA-FAS will provide more than $181 million to 68 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives through MAP. Map supports a range of consumer-focused promotion for small businesses and cooperatives. On average, MAP participants contribute more than $2.50 for every Federal dollar invested, demonstrating strong industry commitment and leveraging of private-sector resources.  

Through the FMD program, USDA-FAS will allocate more than $31 million for FY26 to 18 trade organizations representing U.S. agricultural producers. FMD supports long-term market development with a focus on generic commodity promotion, rather than individual brand promotion. Preference is given to organizations that represent broad industry sectors with nationwide membership with an aim to deliver the greatest economic benefit for U.S. agriculture. On average, FMD cooperators contribute $3.25 per Federal dollar invested, again demonstrating a shared, successful investment in expanding global demand for U.S. commodities.  

The list of awardees for the MAP can be found at www.fas.usda.gov/programs/market-access-program-map/map-funding-allocations-fy-2026.

For FMD Program awardees, visit www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign-market-development-program-fmd/fmd-funding-allocations-fy-2026.  

To learn more about MAP, FMD and other USDA-FAS programs, visit www.fas.usda.gov. 

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, Stakeholder Notice (Feb. 11, 2026)

USDA announced that registration is now open for the 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 19–20, 2026, and all Forum sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform.

The Forum program will feature a presentation on the 2026 outlook for the U.S. agricultural economy and trade by USDA Chief Economist Justin Benavidez, a keynote address by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and a plenary panel of distinguished speakers who will discuss Agricultural Trade Under Trump’s Trade Agenda. The program also includes 22 breakout sessions organized by USDA agencies that will explore a wide range of current issues. More than 80 experts from government, industry, and academia will provide insights on key topics such as commodity and food price forecasts, farm income, U.S. and global agricultural trade, the future of biofuels, and AI applications in agriculture. The in-person event will feature exhibit booths hosted by USDA agencies highlighting their missions, recent USDA-funded innovations, and other key programs and activities. For more information, visit the Agricultural Outlook Forum website.

Source: USDA Press Releases, No. 0007.26 (January 14, 2026)