USDA announced Wednesday its international market development programs have had a positive impact on U.S. agricultural trade as found by an IHS Global Insight, Inc. independent study. The study concluded increased investment in market development resulted in a $35 increase in U.S. food and ag exports for every additional dollar spent by the government and industry on market development. The study also showed that export gains associated with the programs increased the average annual level of U.S. farm cash receipts by $4.4-billion while reducing domestic support payments by nearly $54 million a year.
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA is working aggressively to increase exports per the President's National Export Initiative, not only because of the increased opportunities for farmers and ranchers, but also because of the 8,000 to 9,000 jobs impacted for each $1 billion in exports. The study states that by 2009 the increase in market development spending since 2002 increased the nation's export market share by 1.3% and the annual value of U.S. ag exports by $6.1 billion. Vilsack says the study shows the market development partnership has had a significant impact on U.S. ag exports by effectively leveraging resources from the private and public sectors.
More information about Foreign Agricultural Service market development programs can be found at www.fas.usda.gov.
Powered by iNet Solutions Group ©2011 All Rights Reserved.