Updated 4/13/06

Marketing Resources

For more information, e-mail us or call (360) 902-1915.

WSDA Assistance

WSDA works with individual companies to find buyers and to promote their products overseas.  This includes providing promotional support, introductions to other promotional organizations, and introductions within the countries through WSDA’s Agricultural Trade Representatives in major markets and the USDA’s Agricultural Trade Offices.

USDA Export Promotion Programs

The US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has a variety of programs, services and information available to assist exporters of food and agriculture products.  For more information contact us office or FAS's website (www.fas.usda.gov).  Some of the most commonly used programs are:

Market Access Program

WSDA can provide access to various promotional programs and funds under the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP).   Under the MAP Branded program, companies can receive matching funds for new promotional activities in specific markets.  These activities can include trade show participation, promotional materials, label modifications, market research, etc.  For appropriate expenditures, the MAP program may match up to 50 percent of the cost.  

Another MAP program, the Generic program, provides funds to state departments of agriculture and industry organizations for the generic promotion of a category of products (e.g., frozen vegetables, bakery ingredients, etc.).   These projects are typically conducted with companies from throughout the western US and may include organizing participation at trade shows, conducting technical seminars and tastings, conducting market research, etc.   Any company from the western US may participate in these activities.  The Western US Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) coordinates these programs for the 13 western states.  

Emerging Markets Program  

The Emerging Markets Program provides funding for technical assistance activities that promote, enhance or expand the export of U.S. agricultural commodities to overseas emerging markets. Technical assistance is defined quite broadly, and includes such activities as feasibility studies, market research, sectorial assessments, orientation visits, specialized training, business workshops, and the like. The emphasis of the program is market development, both long-term and short-term. 

Cochran Fellowship Program  

The Cochran Fellowship Program is a USDA program that brings key people from developing markets to the US to teach them about our products, our food production, manufacturing and distribution system and how they might used US products in their markets.  It assists eligible countries to develop agricultural systems necessary to meet the food needs of their domestic populations and enhances trade linkages between eligible countries and agricultural interests in the United States.

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