WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill in the U.S. Senate aims to help farmers sell more specialty crops overseas by addressing longstanding trade barriers such as high tariffs.

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, recently introduced the Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act.

The legislation would make several changes to the USDA’s Specialty Crops Trade Issues Report to Congress that the senators say would more clearly identify trade barriers for specialty crop growers and create plans to cut through red tape.

“The world is hungry for grown-in-the-U.S. blueberries, potatoes, wine and other produce,” Wyden said. “But all too often our farmers and producers are stymied by unreasonable blockades in foreign markets.” 

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Wyden embarked on a multi-stop “Bounty of Oregon” tour earlier this year to meet with farmers and agricultural industry leaders.

During one roundtable discussion at A to Z Wineworks in Newberg, Wyden heard from vintners and hazelnut growers about the challenges they face reaching international consumers. 

“People love our products,” Wyden told the group. “We just have to make it possible for people to have a fair shot at them.” 

Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” That definition would remain the same under the Specialty CROP Act. 

What the bill would require is changes to the annal trade issues report, including:

• Requiring participation from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

• Highlighting specific trade barriers that limit the export competitiveness of specialty crops in specific markets.

• Assessing whether each barrier is subject to a free trade or international agreement.

• Detailing actions that can be taken by the government to resolve each trade barrier.

• Requesting comments from both the public and the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables.

“Improving the USDA’s Specialty Crop Report will arm producers and trade negotiators with detailed and up-to-date information, helping break down longstanding trade barriers, diversify export markets and expand export opportunities for Idaho’s specialty crop producers,” Crapo said. 

The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Angus King, I-Maine; Jim Risch, R-Idaho; Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.; and Susan Collins, R-Maine.

Companion legislation will also be introduced in the House by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore.; David Valadao, R-Calif.; and Elissa Slotkin, R-Mich.

According to the USDA, specialty crop exports totaled $24.9 billion in fiscal year 2021 — about 14.5% of overall U.S. agricultural exports. Tree nuts, including almonds and walnuts, represented the largest share of those exports at 35%.

Mark Powers, president of the Northwest Horticulture Council, said maintaining and expanding access to overseas markets is critical for the region’s apple, pear and cherry growers. 

“The legislation … will help us understand the trade barriers in export markets and identify solutions to ensure growers remain competitive around the world,” Powers said.

Kasey Cronquist, president of the North American Blueberry Council, said global demand for U.S. blueberries continues to grow year-over-year, though high tariffs and technical barriers have put producers at a disadvantage.

“This bill will not only help identify specific barriers affecting specialty crops, but also encourage productive engagement between the industry, administration and Congress on real solutions that will drive the growth of U.S. specialty crop exports,” Cronquist said.