Biden-Harris Administration Advances Agricultural Exports In Support of The U.S. Economy

Biden-Harris Administration Advances Agricultural Exports in Support of the U.S. Economy Fact Sheet

• Jobs and economic growth. About 20 percent of all U.S. agricultural production is exported around the world, providing a significant share of producers’ cash receipts. U.S. food and agricultural exports support more than 1 million jobs and generate more than $200 billion in additional economic activity each year in rural communities and beyond.
• U.S. agricultural exports have grown significantly during the Biden-Harris administration, posting the three highest years in history in 2021, 2022, and 2023 – including a record of nearly $196 billion in 2022 and nearly $175 billion in 2023. The 2024 data will be available in February and promises to exceed pre-Biden-Harris levels.
• The Biden-Harris administration advanced U.S. agricultural exports through robust export promotion support and several significant trade policy and market access wins to deliver these benefits to the U.S. agricultural sector.

Export Promotion Support

• In 2024, USDA export promotion programs provided more than $850 million through the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, and the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative, to the U.S. agricultural industry to expand opportunities for growth around the globe.
• Since 2022, USDA has issued $9.4 billion in loan payment guarantees to facilitate the diversification of U.S. agricultural export markets. USDA also invested more than $30 million in capacity building programming through technical assistance, research, and exchange programs, and we provided more than $2.3 billion across our international food assistance programs to strengthen food security.
• During the Biden-Harris administration, USDA hosted 17 trade missions, connecting U.S. exporters with buyers around the globe. The missions included more than 389 companies that held 5,700 business-to-business meetings, resulting in more than $258 million in 12-month projected sales.

Value of Exports and Trade Preserved

• Through persistent engagement and negotiation, USDA, USTR, and other U.S. Government (USG) partners protected federal rights under trade agreements and opened new markets for our agricultural producers. In Fiscal Year 2024, USG efforts preserved $8.8 billion in total U.S. agricultural exports.

ILLUSTRATIVE Trade Wins

• United States Prevails in USMCA Biotech Corn Dispute Panel: On December 20, 2024, the USMCA biotech dispute panel issued and made public a final report, ruling in favor of the United States on all claims. The Panel found that Mexico’s measures to limit the use of genetically engineered (GE) corn in human foods and the mandated substitution of non-GE corn in industrial uses for human consumption – including animal feeds contained within Mexico’s 2023 Corn Decree – are not based on an adequate risk assessment or relevant scientific principles; have been applied beyond the extent necessary; are more trade restrictive than necessary; and constitute a prohibition on trade. The Panel recommended that Mexico bring its measures into conformity with its USMCA obligations.
• Chile Approves GI Side Letter: On September 3, 2024, the Chilean Senate approved a side letter to the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement that will preserve market access for certain commonly named U.S. meats and cheeses. The United States signed the side letter with Chile on June 21, 2024. This side letter will preserve an annual trade value of $55 million for U.S. cheese exports and $7 million for U.S. meat exports. The side letter entered into force on December 29, 2024.
• Indonesia Amends Fresh Food of Plant Origin Decree to Include Apples: On October 17, 2024, Indonesia notified USDA that it had amended the Fresh Food of Plant Origin (FPFO) Recognition Decree to include apples. Indonesia has implemented a 6-month precautionary monitoring program of apples due to the lack of current publicly available lead monitoring data from FDA. The decision allows apples to be shipped to the port of Jakarta without Certificate of Analysis and other pre-shipment testing requirements that non-FFPO commodities provide. Exports of U.S. apples to Indonesia totaled $16 million in Fiscal Year 2024.
• South African Market Opens for U.S. Corn: On November 19, 2024, South Africa confirmed that it would begin to process requests for import permits for genetically engineered corn from the United States. FAS worked closely with stakeholders to resolve the barrier of asynchronous approvals to restore trade. The estimated trade value of this market opening is $25 million.
• Angola Resumes Importing Poultry Meat: On August 23, 2024, the largest U.S. poultry market in Africa resumed issuing import permits for poultry meat, reversing a two-month de facto ban on the top U.S. agricultural product which constitutes 97 percent of export value to the country. U.S. poultry meat exports to Angola were valued at $115 million in 2023.
• U.S. Potatoes to Expand in Mexico: On May 12, 2022, following more than 20 years of engagement, FAS and APHIS, supported by the U.S. potato industry, gained access for U.S. potatoes beyond a 26km zone adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border. Industry expects exports to grow from $55 million in 2021 to as much as $200 million in 5 years.
• Vietnam Grants Market Access for U.S. Fresh Fruit: The United States and Vietnam have demonstrated a mutual commitment to advancing market access requests for fresh fruit. Beginning in February 2023, Vietnamese importers were eligible to apply for import permits for U.S. grapefruit. APHIS estimates the potential value for exports of U.S. grapefruit to Vietnam at $15 million annually. In July 2024, Vietnam granted market access for California fresh peaches and nectarines. The estimated trade value of U.S. peaches and nectarines to Vietnam is $2.5 million annually. Exports of U.S. fresh fruits to Vietnam in 2023 reached $105 million.
• United States Maintains Eligibility to Export Animal Products to the European Union: On June 28, 2024, the European Union notified the WTO of the List of Third Countries Eligible to Export to the Union based on assurances received from countries related to the EU’s new Veterinary Drug legislation (Article 118). The United States maintained export eligibility for all current eligible animal products. In 2023, the EU imported $1.2 billion in animal and seafood products from the United States.
• Korea Grants Market Access for Texas Grapefruit: On June 27, 2024, Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) granted market access for fresh grapefruit from Texas. Korea previously allowed exports of grapefruits from California and Florida, with a value of about $8 million in 2023. On December 23, 2024, APQA cleared a test shipment of Texas grapefruit, confirming all requirements were met. Texas grapefruit industry estimates suggest that Korea could become a $5-10 million annual market.
• Philippines Finalizes E20 Voluntary Measures: On May 20, 2024, the Philippines Department of Energy finalized its E20 voluntary blending standards by publishing three department circulars on biofuels. On November 25, 2024, a newly built gas station outside of Manila displayed “E20” signage at the pump. This final step caps a 4-year effort by FAS and the U.S. Grains Council to expand the use of ethanol in the Philippines. FAS Manila estimates increasing the ethanol blend from E10 to E20 could result in an additional $250 million annually of imported ethanol.
• Colombia Reopens Market to U.S. Poultry: On February 29, 2024, Colombia resumed issuing import permits and reopened the market to U.S. poultry. In August 2023, the Colombian Institute of Agriculture stopped issuing import permits for poultry, egg, and genetic products, citing concerns over HPAI. After seven months, the Colombian government issued a public release confirming this and FSIS has updated the export library. Colombia was the 10th largest market globally for poultry products, with exports reaching $105 million in 2022. In 2023, Colombia became the sixth largest global export market for all U.S. agricultural products.
• UK Biomass Strategy Maintains Nearly $1 Billion U.S. Wood Pellet Export Market: In August 2023, the UK released its anticipated Biomass Strategy to support the UK’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050. The strategy continues the UK government’s recognition that biomass (including wood pellets) will continue to have a significant and expanding role in meeting its GHG reduction goals. The strategy emphasizes the need for, and challenge of, securing a sustainable supply. In 2022, U.S. wood pellet exports to the UK were valued at $956 million, representing more than 60 percent of U.S. wood pellet exports globally and an increase from $713 million in 2021.
• India Eliminates and Reduces Tariffs on Agricultural Products: In February 2023, India announced it would eliminate the existing duties on ethanol for industrial purposes and reduce tariffs on pecans and certain animal feed imports. In June 2023, India announced it would remove all retaliatory tariffs imposed on U.S. agricultural products in 2019, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, and two other non-agricultural products. All tariff reductions were implemented in 2024; however, regulatory uncertainty related to duck has delayed shipments. India is the second largest export destination for U.S. tree nuts, valued at $1.1 billion in 2023, and the top export market for almonds. Total U.S. agricultural exports to India for January-October 2024 increased by 21 percent compared to the same period in 2023.