USDA allocates $200 million to promote U.S. ag products overseas

USDA allocates $200 million to promote U.S. ag products overseas    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will dole out $200 million in funding to 67 U.S. trade groups to promote U.S. agricultural products overseas.
   The fiscal 2006 allocations announced Wednesday will be administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Market Access Program. The program uses funds from USDA’s Commodity Credit Corp. to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities with national agricultural trade groups, state and regional groups, and cooperatives. Activities conducted by the program include market research, consumer promotions for retail products, and seminars to educate overseas buyers.
   Some of the biggest recipients of the funds this year are:
   * American Forest & Paper Association, $12.2 million.
   * Cotton Council International, $16.7 million.
   * Food Export USA Northeast, $6.6 million.
   * Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council, $8.0 million.
   * National Potato Promotion Board (USA Potato Board), $6.1 million
   * Southern United States Trade Association, $8.3 million.
   * U.S. Grains Council, $7.7 million.
   * U.S. Meat Export Federation, $18.1 million.
   * U.S. Wheat Associates, $6.3 million
   * Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, $13.1 million
   * Wine Institute, $6.8 million.
   The USDA anticipates another record year for U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal 2006.
   “The importance of trade is highlighted by predictions of a fourth straight year of record agricultural exports, which have become a critical part of the revenue portfolio for producers,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns in a statement.
   “USDA will continue to help our farmers and ranchers gain access to growing global markets,” he added.
   When the final numbers are tallied, U.S. agricultural exports for fiscal 2006 are forecasted to be $68 billion, up from the previous record of $62.5 billion in fiscal 2005. Fiscal 2007 exports are expected to reach $72 billion.