News

Staff from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's International Agribusiness Center (IABC) joined more than 70 industry leaders, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) officials, and 9 State Departments of Agriculture at the USLGE annual meeting, February 11–13, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The meeting focused on expanding global market access and aligning 2026 export priorities. Sessions included updates from USDA-FAS representatives from Washington and Mexico, Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and MAP implementation discussions, market outlooks, and strategies to enhance international competitiveness.

A dedicated Mexico market briefing reaffirmed Mexico's role as the number one destination for U.S. agricultural exports, with more than $30 billion in U.S. ag sales in 2024 and over $79 billion in total bilateral agricultural trade. Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in bovine genetics, exporting 59% of all U.S.-produced bovine semen in 2024.

During the meeting, IABC staff engaged with USLGE members to identify new global market opportunities while strengthening established trade partnerships. IABC's participation reinforces Wisconsin's leadership in global genetics markets and supports sustained growth for our livestock and genetic sectors​

Source: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, International Agribusiness Newsletter, March 2026

In late January of this year, Kazakhstan unveiled its 5-year plan (2026–30) for developing the country’s livestock sector. The overarching goal of the government’s plan, which includes a variety of incentives, is to increase the production of milk and meat for domestic and export channels. In order to realize this production goal, the government’s plan implies the need to import 30,000–60,000 breeding beef and dairy cattle.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report KZ2026-0004

USLGE, with funding support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, is proud to announce that Indonesia has opened its market to U.S. breeding cattle and swine genetics.

This milestone is the result of over a decade of negotiations focused on establishing mutually agreed-on animal health and genetic import regulations for both cattle and swine. The market opening represents a significant achievement for U.S. livestock exporters and supports the strategic agricultural development goals of both nations.

This announcement marks a new chapter in U.S.–Indonesia agricultural cooperation and reflects the long-term commitment of all stakeholders involved.

For more information contact USLGE at uslge@uslge.org

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)

The United States in coordination with Ethiopia’s regulatory authorities has finalized new veterinary health certificates authorizing the export of U.S. live cattle as well as day-old chicks and hatching eggs to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Agricultural Authority confirmed the approval of these market access requests on December 16, 2025.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report ET2025-0027