The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office and USDA on Monday detailed strides made in expanding market access and boosting agricultural exports for U.S. producers.
Export growth
· The four-year average of U.S. agricultural exports is 28.5% higher compared to the previous four years.
Market access achievements
· The administration has secured over $26.7 billion in agricultural market access globally for U.S. farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food manufacturers since taking office. This expanded access has opened up new opportunities for American agricultural producers in international markets.
Record-breaking export values
· Between 2021 and 2024, the U.S. achieved its four largest annual export values for agricultural products. The peak was reached in 2022 with a record of $196 billion in agricultural exports.
Key initiatives. The administration has launched several programs to promote U.S. agricultural exports:
· Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP): A $1.2 billion initiative aimed at opening new markets and strengthening existing ones for U.S. agricultural and food producers and exporters.
· Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative: Funded with $65 million from RAPP, this program supports projects that advance U.S. specialty crop exports by improving understanding of foreign food safety systems and promoting U.S. food safety standards abroad.
Trade relationship improvements. The administration has worked on strengthening trade relationships and removing barriers:
· Lowered tariffs in India for 10 agricultural commodities, including apples, frozen duck and frozen chicken.
· Secured approvals and renewals for agricultural biotechnology products in the European Union.
· Reopened the Colombian market for U.S. poultry and egg products.
· Gained access for U.S. fresh potatoes to Mexico beyond the border zone, resulting in over $82 million in exports in 2022.
Upshot: Some of the increase in export value may be attributed to higher prices rather than solely increased volumes. This joint release tries to address bipartisan complaints in Congress and in the U.S. ag sector about the current trade policy and shows the sensitivity of the issue within the Biden administration.
