Last week, bipartisan members of Congress reintroduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025, a bill designed to double funding for the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program. The legislation, formerly known as the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act and first introduced in February 2023, seeks to help American farmers and pet food manufacturers compete more effectively in global markets.The Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025 is designed to increase funding for MAP from $200 million to $400 million annually and for FMD from $34.5 million to $69 million annually. According to supporters, these investments will increase agricultural exports, support rural economies and create new opportunities for U.S. agricultural businesses. A recent study by Texas A&M University projected that doubling funding for these programs could generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports between 2024 and 2029.Since 1993, the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has engaged in export promotion through MAP, which supports global promotion of U.S. agricultural goods. PFI has used the program to promote U.S. pet food in key foreign markets, aiding in the export of $2.4 billion in U.S. pet food in 2023, with products shipped to over 90 countries. As a cooperator in MAP, PFI said uses USDA grant funds to engage in marketing activities across 18 countries to promote the safety and quality of U.S. pet food. “For PFI’s members, who make the vast majority of dog and cat food and treats in the U.S., boosting exports of pet food and treats is critical to ensuring continued market growth,” said PFI’s president and CEO Dana Brooks. “This legislation would benefit U.S. pet food makers by supporting them in maintaining and expanding their global presence. As pets continue to be seen as valued members of families, and pet owners seek to provide their pets with complete and balanced commercial pet food, significant opportunities continue to grow in international markets.” PFI’s Market Access Program aims to boost U.S. pet food and treat exports through marketing and promotions, improving local veterinarians’ knowledge in pet nutrition and partnering with rescue groups to enhance animal welfare. The work done by PFI’s the in-country representatives is vital to understanding consumer attitudes and habits in overseas markets, which PFI said enables it to provide the American pet food industry with valuable market insights to expand exports.The North American Renderers Association (NARA) has also come out in support of the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025. The association said it has long supported the MAP and FMD programs as critical tools for maintaining U.S. leadership in international agricultural trade. NARA noted renderers transform byproducts from meat production into high-value, sustainable ingredients that are in demand worldwide, including edible fats, feed ingredients, pet food, b
Mar. Feb 11th, 2025
