US agricultural associations welcome new USDA export initiative

oilseed industry associations. Speaking at a meeting of the U.S. Ag Export Development Council (USADEC), Michelle Bekkering, USDA deputy undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, emphasized that AFTPP is designed to complement existing market-development tools such as the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program. According to her, the initiative will help identify markets with growth potential, address trade barriers, and strengthen U.S. positions where the country already holds market share. The American Soybean Association (ASA), the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), and the WISHH program expressed strong support for the AFTPP, calling it a “timely and strategic opportunity” to expand U.S. soybean exports into non-traditional markets. ASA president Caleb Ragland noted that the funding mechanism demonstrates the government’s clear commitment to strengthening the global footprint of U.S. agriculture and provides new momentum ...