The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in mid-December announced that it has received $1 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP).
In October 2023, USDA initiated the $1.4 billion RAPP program aimed at developing new export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products.
“We appreciate the USDA’s continued recognition of AFIA’s pivotal role in advancing the U.S. feed ingredient and pet food industries on the global stage,” stated AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman.
“This funding underscores our shared commitment to a strong U.S. agricultural economy by building strong relationships with foreign buyers, expanding opportunities for American agricultural exports and boosting the competitiveness of U.S. animal food manufacturers in emerging markets,” added Cullman.
In 2023, the overall export value for feed, feed ingredients, and pet food stood at $13.4 billion, and the total volume of exports of these products amounted to 19.8 million metric tons, demonstrating the significant role the animal food industry plays in overall U.S. agriculture exports.
The USDA’s RAPP, initiated in 2023 following a bipartisan request from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, awards funds to eligible entities – including agricultural trade organizations such as the AFIA, state regional trade groups, cooperatives, and state agencies – to facilitate export expansion, address trade barriers, and promote U.S. agricultural products in new markets. This is the second time the AFIA has been awarded this funding.