The USDA announced the second round of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program grants Dec. 19, providing another $300 million to expand American food and ag exports in new and emerging markets.

The first round of awards was announced in May and many recipients won similar awards.

The grants aim to diversify export markets in regions with rising consumer demand and purchasing power, including Africa, Latin America/the Caribbean and South/Southeast Asia.

The middle class and demand for high quality food and farm products are growing in those areas.

Industry response

Industry officials said RAPP funding combines with Market Access Program grants to increase competitiveness in foreign markets.

The California Walnut Commission was awarded a $7 million RAPP grant.

“Funding from the Market Access Program has been essential to our success over the years, and the additional funding from the RAPP program will provide more resources to drive new distribution and grow sales for California walnuts in even more new and exciting ways,” said Robert Verloop, CEO for the California Walnut Commission.

The California Table Grape Commission is set to receive $2.1 million.

In 2024, the organization targeted 21 export markets, which is five more than 2023. “More are expected in 2025,” said Ian LeMay, incoming commission president.

Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, said that the second round of $1.5 million in RAPP funding will help drive global consumption of blueberries.

“These grants are critical to our efforts to expand into markets like Vietnam, India and South Korea,” he added.

Apple marketing efforts

The Washington Apple Commission is set to receive a $7 million grant and Michael Schadler, president, said he views RAPP as a continuation of Agricultural Trade Promotion funding, which came to an end last year.

ATP and RAPP funding have been used to strengthen digital marketing and social media efforts for Washington apples in many target international markets.

“We’re also using RAPP to begin doing promotions in Singapore and Panama for the first time in many years,” Schadler said.

RAPP funds can’t be used in China, Mexico or Canada, but they can be used in most other markets where the Washington Apple Commission operates, he added.

Goals around the globe

The Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, headquartered in Vancouver, Wash., won a $5.2 million grant and has plans for that money around the world.

For example, in Africa, the organization hopes to conduct consumer-orientated market research and trade missions in untapped regions such as Nigeria and Ghana.

In Southeast Asia, WUSATA will strengthen food technology application research and culinary partnerships to boost consumer demand for western U.S. products.

Notable grant awards

Other notable grant recipients for the Pacific Northwest and California include:

•The Almond Board of California, $6 million.

•American Pistachio Growers/Cal-Pure Produce, $4.5 million.

•American Sheep Industry Association, $1.2 million.

•California Prune Board, $5 million.

•Hazelnut Marketing Board, $750,000.

•Hops Growers of America, $1.2 million.

•National Potato Promotion Board, $4.65 million.

•Northwest Wine Promotion Coalition, $2 million.

•Organic Trade Association, $2.5 million.

•Pear Bureau Northwest, $4 million.

•U.S. Dairy Export Council, $9.7 million.

•U.S. Grains Council, $16 million.

•U.S. Meat Export Federation, $19.5 million.

•U.S. Wheat Associates, $12 million.

•USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, $10 million.

•Washington State Fruit Commission, $1.7 million.

More USDA grants coverage

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Oregon now accepting specialty crop block grant proposals

USDA gives $1 million in food resiliency grants to Oregon operations

•Wine Institute, $12 million.