Whether you are new to exporting or your company has been in the business for years, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and its partners can help you build markets for your products around the globe. FAS offers a variety of services and programs that help U.S. agricultural exporters succeed in the global marketplace. From facilitating relationships with potential foreign buyers, to providing technical and financial assistance, FAS resources and expertise link U.S. agriculture to a world of opportunities.
For those new to exporting, a great place to start is with the State Regional Trade Group (SRTG) that covers your area. FAS supports four of these nonprofit organizations, which in turn assist U.S. food and agricultural businesses with the entire exporting process. Your SRTG can help you learn the fundamentals of exporting, identify overseas opportunities and market your products through trade shows and trade missions. With FAS support, SRTGs also help fund international marketing campaigns and promote U.S. farm and food products overseas. FAS and SRTGs work closely together with the ultimate goal of helping U.S. food and agricultural interests build a global business. Here’s more information about the STRGs.
FAS also partners with more than 70 nonprofit trade associations, called "cooperators," that represent producers of myriad food and agricultural products — from pecans to papayas, from sorghum to salmon, from dried beans to beef, and beyond. As part of their mission to promote U.S. agricultural products around the world, many cooperator organizations offer exporter assistance, sponsor inbound and outbound trade missions, and help farmers and ranchers identify international market opportunities. Here’s the online directory of FAS cooperator organizations.
Doing business in foreign countries and cultures can be daunting, but FAS has a global network of offices, covering more than 170 countries, with staff who serve as the eyes, ears and voice for U.S. agriculture around the world. They analyze foreign market opportunities, prepare trade forecasts, and track changes in policies affecting U.S. agricultural exports and imports. This first-hand intelligence can help exporters make informed decisions about how and where to grow their businesses.
Even experienced exporters can run into challenges. Navigating certification, documentation and registration requirements can be confusing and time-consuming. But help is just a phone call or an email away. The FAS Trade Facilitation Desk (202-720-2378 or agexport@fas.usda.gov) serves as a point of contact for exporters, state departments of agriculture and industry cooperator groups seeking assistance and guidance on foreign import requirements.
Wondering if your business is ready to take the leap into the international marketplace? In addition to the above resources available from FAS, you can visit BusinessUSA to assess your export-readiness and find out how to tap into a host of U.S. government programs and services to help you get started.
