News

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service announced more than $8.4 million in funding through 3 proven programs: Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program, Emerging Markets Program (EMP), and Quality Samples Program (QSP). All 3 programs help deliver measurable results for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers by reducing technical trade barriers, opening new markets, and meeting a growing international demand for high-quality U.S. agricultural products. “These programs drive growth for U.S. agricultural exports, giving American farmers and ranchers the tools they need to break through unnecessary trade barriers and explore new markets,” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg.

USDA will award:

• $3.5 million through TASC to 9 U.S. recipients to address sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barriers that limit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. Projects include pre-clearance programs, workshops, field visits, study tours, and pest and disease research.
• $3.8 million through EMP to 16 U.S. recipients working to expand access to emerging markets and advance market development. Funding supports market assessments, subsistence travel and technical assistance to promote long-term export growth.
• $1.1 million through QSP to 8 U.S. recipients to provide samples of U.S. agricultural products to potential overseas buyers. Buyers can test these samples to confirm their high quality and performance, leading to increased commercial demand for U.S. goods.

This is only the initial tranche of funding for TASC, EMP, and QSP. USDA-FAS expects to award 3 more tranches in FY 2026.

To learn more about these and other USDA-FAS programs, visit fas.usda.gov/programs.

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, April 2, 2026

Nigeria’s National Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) for 2026–27 represents the Nigerian federal government’s strategy to integrate the country’s agricultural-related production, nutrition, environmental, employment, and climate systems and link them with international trade and development initiatives. The USDA-FAS Gain Report also describes one specific component of NASIP, the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, and implications for U.S. livestock and related product exporters. In 2025, Nigeria imported $50 million in feed and related products and $5 million in live animals.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report NI2026-0009

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)