Update For Use Of In Cuba Of USDA MAP And FMD Programs Authorized Since 2018
/Update For Use Of In Cuba Of USDA MAP And FMD Programs Authorized Since 2018
In 2018, legislative advocates for issues relating to the Republic of Cuba maintained that inserting into the Farm Bill authorization for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) for the Republic of Cuba was critical to “laying the groundwork” for increasing exports of agricultural commodities and food products to the Republic of Cuba.
Statements from members of the United States Congress included: “… an important first step to regaining our presence in Cuba.”
During the last eight years, use to date of USDA MAP/FMD Republic of Cuba-focused funding provisions in the Farm Bill remains anemic.
For FMD, the program years for all groups run as follows:
FMD PY 2026: January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
FMD PY 2027: January 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028
For MAP, recipients can be on one of two possible program year cycles with different beginning and ending dates:
MAP PY 2026 begins either January 1, 2026 or July 1, 2026 and ends June 30, 2027 or December 31, 2027, respectively
MAP PY 2027 begins either January 1, 2027 or July 1, 2027 and ends June 30, 2028 or December 31, 2028, respectively
What Is FMD & MAP?
The USDA does not provide any payments to selected applicants in advance of the applicant making disbursements. The USDA provides payment upon receipt of an invoice from the applicant. The invoices are audited by the USDA and a claw back of payments is permitted.
MAP: “Through the Market Access Program (MAP), FAS partners with U.S. agricultural trade associations, cooperatives, state regional trade groups and small businesses to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities that help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities.”
“MAP reaches virtually every corner of the globe, helping to build markets for a wide variety U.S. farm and food products. FAS provides cost-share assistance to eligible U.S. organizations for activities such as consumer advertising, public relations, point-of-sale demonstrations, participation in trade fairs and exhibits, market research and technical assistance. When MAP funds are used for generic marketing and promotion, participants must contribute a minimum 10-percent match. For promotion of branded products, a dollar-for-dollar match is required. Each year, FAS announces the MAP application period and criteria in the Federal Register. Applicants apply for MAP through the Unified Export Strategy (UES) process, which allows eligible organizations to request funding from multiple USDA market development programs through a single, strategically coordinated proposal. FAS reviews the proposals and awards funds to applicants that demonstrate the potential for effective performance based on a clear, long-term strategic plan.”
FMD: “The Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, also known as the Cooperator Program, helps create, expand and maintain long-term export markets for U.S. agricultural products. Under the program, FAS partners with U.S. agricultural producers and processors, who are represented by non-profit commodity or trade associations called “cooperators,” to promote U.S. commodities overseas.”
“The FMD program focuses on generic promotion of U.S. commodities, rather than consumer-oriented promotion of branded products. Preference is given to organizations that represent an entire industry or are nationwide in membership and scope.
FMD-funded projects generally address long-term opportunities to reduce foreign import constraints or expand export growth opportunities. For example, this might include efforts to: reduce infrastructural or historical market impediments, improve processing capabilities, modify codes and standards, or identify new markets or new uses for the agricultural commodity or product.
Each year, FAS announces the FMD application period and criteria in the Federal Register. Organizations apply for the FMD program through the Unified Export Strategy (UES) process, which allows applicants to request funding from multiple USDA market development programs through a single, strategically coordinated proposal. FAS reviews the proposals and awards funds to applicants that demonstrate the potential for effective performance based on a clear, long-term strategic plan.”
Links To Related Analyses
USDA Updates Usage In Cuba Of MAP And FMD Funding Authorized By 2018 Farm Bill. In Four Funding Periods In Four Years, Two Uses Of MAP; No Uses Of FMD. Anemic Response By Export Advocates. November 11, 2021
After Nearing 700 Days Since Farm Bill Authorized Use Of USDA FMD/MAP Funding In Cuba, 1st Request Is Reported- For Potatoes December 24, 2020
