Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: agricultural exports

  • USDA Announces $2M to Nut Producers Overcome Trade Barriers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced a $2 million project to support the development of cost-effective tools that help tree nut handlers control pests and maintain product quality while crops are in storage after harvest.

    Funded under the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) Initiative, this opportunity is part of a broader ASCE suite of investments for specialty crop producers, which include fruits, vegetables, pulses, potatoes and tree nuts. ASCE projects expand market access, advance science-based trade standards and help to keep specialty crop producers globally competitive as they face increasing barriers to trade overseas.

    Awards will be made in Fiscal Year 2027, pending the approval of a Fiscal Year 2027 spend plan.

    More information is available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity: “Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative: Low Oxygen Storage and Packaging Systems for U.S. Tree Nuts with Phytosanitary Traceability” at Grants.gov: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/363690.

    The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Oct. 26, 2026.

    More information on the ASCE Initiative is available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/assisting-specialty-crop-exports-asce-initiative. — Story contributed by the USDA Foreign Ag Service

  • USDA Accepting Applications for a Trade Mission to Singapore

    The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced it is now accepting applications for its upcoming trade mission to Singapore, scheduled for Dec. 7 to 9.

    FAS Agribusiness Trade Missions directly connect American agribusinesses with overseas buyers, expanding market access and boosting exports for U.S. producers. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand must submit their application via the official online form by 11:59 p.m. EST, Sept. 8, 2026.

    “Expanding our footprint in Southeast Asia is critical as we work to diversify export opportunities and build new, resilient paths for getting safe, high-quality American agricultural products into more markets,” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “Getting producers face-to-face with buyers cultivates long-term trade relationships in vibrant, rapidly developing markets—ensuring our producers have multiple avenues to meet global demand instead of relying on a single buyer.”

    In 2025, U.S. agricultural product exports to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand reached more than $3 billion in total. This regional total includes $1.3 billion to Thailand and $1 billion to Malaysia. In Singapore, U.S. exports reached $769 million, with consumer-oriented products— such as tree nuts, dairy products, wine and processed foods—making up 65% of that value.

    In addition to brokering business-to-business meetings, FAS staff and regional experts will hold in-depth market briefings and host site visits and networking events to strengthen trade relationships throughout the mission.

    USDA anticipates significant growth opportunities in the region for several product categories, including:

    • Tree nuts
    • Food preparations, such as baking ingredients
    • Seafood
    • Beef
    • Wine and distilled spirits
    • Processed fruits and vegetables
    • Dairy, eggs and egg products
    • Pet food
    • Pulses, such as dry yellow and green split peas

    In 2025, USDA trade missions connected more than 250 U.S. companies with buyers in Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan and Mexico, generating projected 12‑month sales of $125 million.

    Singapore will be USDA’s final Agribusiness Trade Mission for 2026—a year in which USDA sent delegations to Malaysia, Indonesia, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Philippines, Vietnam, Argentina, and Ecuador. USDA will announce 2027 missions soon.

    For information on these and other trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

  • WUSATA Offers Assistance to Growers on the Global Market

    Growers looking to showcase and export their products face numerous hurdles and challenges, but the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) is working with growers to get their products onto the international market. Hayden Romig from WUSATA spoke with Matthew Malcolm of Malcolm Media Ag Publishing to discuss the work his organization does. Watch this quick video and learn more on California Ag Network.

  • USDA Launches TRUMP Mission to Argentina and Ecuador

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) mission to Argentina and Ecuador this week to open new markets and strengthen export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and producers.

    Built on the Reciprocal Trade and Investment agreements signed with Argentina and Ecuador earlier this year, the mission led by USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Luke J. Lindberg, aims to increase fair access to two of the Western Hemisphere’s fastest-growing markets.

    “Our three-point plan has already reduced the agricultural trade deficit by 42%, and now, TRUMP trade missions like this one are turning new market access into true market share,” said Under Secretary Lindberg. “By taking our farm groups straight to the table with willing buyers in Argentina and Ecuador, we’re converting these historic reciprocal agreements into lasting commercial wins for our hardworking farmers, ranchers and producers back home.”

    In 2025 alone, the U.S. exported $166 million in seeds, essential oils, livestock genetics, tree nuts and more to Argentina. The same year, $595 million in agricultural products were exported to Ecuador, including soybean meal, wheat and other feeds and fodders.

    Staff from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will lead industry tours, host business-to-business meetings, and meet with Argentine and Ecuadorian officials to support U.S. trade priorities and American agricultural producers. The delegation includes representatives from:

    1.     California Almonds – Modesto, Calif.

    2.     USA Poultry & Egg Export Council – Tucker, Ga.

    3.     U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council – Washington, D.C.

    4.     U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. – Mount Horeb, Wis.

    5.     U.S. Meat Export Federation – Denver, Colo.

    6.     U.S. Soybean Export Council – Chesterfield, Mo.

    7.     U.S. Wheat Associates – Arlington, Va.

    For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions. — Story contributed by the USDA Foreign Ag Service