David Salmon
Director
Processed Products Division
USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service
Linking U.S. Agriculture to the World
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.
Representing U.S. Agriculture Abroad
FAS has a Washington-based staff of agricultural
economists, marketing experts, negotiators, and other
specialists that few organizations can equal. FAS also has
a global network of agricultural counsel-
ors, attachés, trade officers, and locally
employed FAS staff stationed in over 90
countries that uniquely positions the
agency to support U.S. agricultural inter-
ests abroad.
FAS programs help U.S. exporters develop and maintain markets for hundreds of food and agricultural products, from bulk commodities to brand name items.
The largest FAS promotional programs are the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program (FMD). Promotional activities under these two programs are carried out chiefly with industry associations referred to as Cooperators, such as the State Regional Trade Groups (SRTG), the U.S. Meat Export Federation, USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, and Blue Diamond Growers.
The Foreign Agricultural Service and its Cooperator network provide a vital link between the U.S. food industry and foreign buyers. Here are some of the services and programs available to the food trade to help buyers locate and procure American food products.
In addition to agricultural affairs offices in U.S. embassies, agricultural trade offices (ATO) in key markets function as service centers for U.S. exporters and foreign buyers seeking market information.
FAS bears the primary responsibility for USDA’s overseas activities – international trade agreements and negotiations, the collection and analysis of statistics and market information, and market development. It also administers USDA’s export credit guarantee and food aid programs and helps increase income and food availability in developing nations by mobilizing expertise for agriculturally led economic growth.
How can FAS help international buyers? Through its network of overseas offices FAS can provide U.S. exporters with on-the-ground insight into 130 international markets, assist in finding buyers of specific U.S. products, and help navigate the intricacies of international import requirements for agricultural products. FAS can also help foreign importers locate U.S. suppliers of specific products.
FAS, with the support of the State Regional Trade Groups (SRTG) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, coordinates U.S. pavilions at selected international trade shows. At some shows, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture provides funding to enhance the pavilion and State Regional Trade Groups help recruit American exhibitors. The trade show and events section, page16, lists the USDA endorsed shows where there will be a U.S. pavilion.
U.S. Suppliers and Food Distributors Locating suppliers and sources for American products is easily accomplished using the U.S. Suppliers List and Export Directory of U.S. Food Distribution Companies. FAS’ overseas offices can help put a foreign buyer in contact with U.S. suppliers of processed food and beverage products, and assist you in finding a consolidator willing to ship mixed containers of food products. The directory lists services a company offers, such as export management, product representation, broker services, consolidation, freight forward and distribution services.
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