Specialty crop trade receives $8.3 million boost

USDA is awarding $8.3 million in funding to help boost U.S. specialty crop trade and market access. The 11 recipients include the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and the National Potato Council.

The funding is provided through USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which manages the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. TASC helps U.S. specialty crop producers combat trade barriers, as well as promote and sell their goods internationally.

“Our market development programs are bringing the bounty of American agriculture to people around the world, helping millions of hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers connect their safe, high-quality products with growing export markets,” Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg said in a news release.

Through TASC and similar programs, USDA partners with nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, nonprofit state/regional trade groups, state agencies and small businesses to expand market access and conduct overseas marketing and promotional activities on behalf of U.S. agricultural producers and processors.

The USDA market development programs return an estimated $24.50 for every dollar invested, according to the department.

The TASC program makes $9 million available annually to fund projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. Eligible activities include seminars and workshops, study tours, field surveys, pest and disease research and pre-clearance programs. Eligible crops include all cultivated plants and their products produced in the U.S. except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, and tobacco.

Awards are for a maximum of $500,000 per year and for projects of up to five years.

The National Potato Council thanked FAS and USDA officials in a post on X.

“Thanks to TASC, we’re at $134.9 million annual sales and growing,” NPC said.

Other 2025 recipients include the California Almond Board and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.