Hop Growers of America

HGA Welcomes USDA Funding for New Export Promotion Program

October 24, 2023

Hop Growers of America (HGA) supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement to bolster U.S. trade by providing $1.3 billion to Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds, launching a new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). The initiative will strengthen the efforts of non-profit U.S. trade associations to market American agricultural products abroad.

With half the U.S. hop crop destined for export each year, maintaining strong export channels remains vital to the integrity of the American hop industry. “This is a momentous leap with exciting potential heighten our outreach capacity,” said HGA Science and Communications Director Maggie Elliot. “We are grateful the USDA acknowledges the value of partnerships between the Foreign Agricultural Service and agricultural cooperators such as HGA. Market promotion programs remain pivotal to the long-term resiliency of our production chain.”

RAPP would supplement the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program. HGA and other commodity organizations use this funding to enhance export markets for U.S. agricultural products.

“American hops have revolutionized the world brewing sector,” Elliot said. “This new opportunity will further empower us to share the innovations of our growers with brewers across the globe.”

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