U.S. spends $234 million on agricultural export programs in fiscal 2007

U.S. spends $234 million on agricultural export programs in fiscal 2007 The U.S. Department of Agriculture spent more than $234 million in fiscal year 2007, ended Sept. 30, to help market American farm products to compete more efficiently in overseas markets.
   The allocations were provided under the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), both administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
   MAP uses funds from the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corp. to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities with U.S. agricultural trade organizations, state and regional groups, and cooperatives. Activities conducted with MAP funding include market research, consumer promotions for retail products, and seminars to educate overseas customers.
   The biggest recipients of the $199.55 million MAP funds included:
   ' Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute ($5.6 million).
   ' American Forest & Paper Association ($8.8 million).
   ' American Soybean Association ($7.85 million).
   ' California Prune Board ($3.3 million).
   ' California Trade Grape Commission ($3.3 million).
   ' California Walnut Commission ($3.5 million).
   ' Cotton Council International ($23.7 million).
   ' Florida Department of Citrus ($8.82 million).
   ' Food Export USA Northeast ($7 million).
   ' Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council ($8.4 million).
   ' National Potato Promotion Board ($6 million).
   ' Pear Bureau Northwest ($3.9 million).
   ' Raisin Administrative Committee ($3.5 million).
   ' Southern United States Trade Association ($8.2 million).
   ' Sunkist Growers ($3.5 million).
   ' U.S. Dairy Export Council ($4.05 million).
   ' U.S. Grain Council ($7.3 million).
   ' U.S. Meat Export Federation ($13.7 million).
   ' U.S. Wheat Associates ($4.2 million).
   ' USA Poultry and Egg Export Council ($4.4 million).
   ' USA Rice Federation/U.S. Rice Producers Association ($3.8 million).
   ' Washington Apple Commission ($5.3 million).
   ' Western United States Agricultural Trade Association ($11 million).
   ' Wine Institute ($8.45 million).
   Through the FMD program, USDA establishes a trade promotion partnership with non-profit U.S. agricultural trade organizations. Funding priority is given to organizations that represent an entire industry or are nationwide in membership and scope. Program activities focus on reducing market barriers, improving processing capabilities of importers, modifying restrictive regulatory codes and standards in overseas markets, and identifying new markets or uses for U.S. products.
   The FMD program distributed $34.5 million in fiscal year 2007. The largest recipients were:
   ' The American Forest & Paper Association ($3.26 million).
   ' American Soybean Association ($7.38 million).
   ' Cotton Council International ($4.24 million).
   ' U.S. Grains Council ($4.68 million).
   ' U.S. Meat Export Federation ($1.68 million).
   ' U.S. Wheat Associates ($5.68 million).
   ' USA Poultry and Egg Export Council ($1.5 million).
   ' USA Rice Federation ($1.67 million).
   After final export numbers are counted, U.S. agricultural exports for fiscal 2007 are expected to reach $79 billion, making 2007 the fourth year of back-to-back records, according to the USDA. Fiscal 2008 exports are forecast to reach $83.5 billion, the department said.