USHBC awarded $850,000 in AFTPP Funding
The US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has been awarded a $850,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture's America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP).
The AFTPP was established to strengthen American agriculture's position in the global marketplace and is a precursor to larger supplemental funding coming in fiscal year 2027 from the Working Families Tax Cuts.
For the blueberry industry, this $850,000 injection will be a primary catalyst for increasing its presence in high-growth regions where demand for premium, health-focused fruit is surging.
USHBC is striving to promote US blueberries worldwide
Created 25 years ago to grow the blueberry category, the USHBC exists to give more consumers in the U.S more reasons to buy more blueberries, expand demand for US blueberries in global markets, and equip the industry for success.
The grant will also fund the building on the success of recent missions, such as our outreach in the Philippines, to forge lasting partnerships with importers, distributors, retailers, and the media.
“USDA’s market development programs have a proven record of delivering for our farmers, ranchers, and producers,” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “Partnering with industry opens new doors for trade, strengthening our position in the global marketplace and advancing the administration’s priority of keeping American agriculture competitive, resilient, and ready to meet growing global demand.”
“This AFTPP funding is a strategic catalyst for the blueberry industry. We’re ready to leverage these resources to scale our reach, accelerate demand, and secure a dominant position for USA Blueberries in high-growth global markets,” said USHBC President Kasey Cronquist.
The USHBC maintains a robust international market development program to expand global demand for US blueberries through targeted trade and consumer initiatives.
Priority markets include South Korea, Japan, India, Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. All activities are strategically designed to build awareness, drive preference, and increase sales of US blueberry products across both fresh and processed categories.
*All images are referential.
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