Specialty Crops
USDA offers a variety of programs and services to support specialty crops businesses of all sizes and across the supply chain. Information can be found at:
USDA Specialty Crops Resources
As part of USDA's commitment to supporting the U.S. specialty crops industry, FAS launched a new Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative in 2024. Details are available below, under "Programs."
Programs
Supports efforts by the specialty crops industry to address non-tariff trade barriers when opening or expanding export markets.
Funds projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.
Provides cooperator organizations with cost-share funding for activities that build international demand for U.S. agricultural commodities.
Helps finance activities to market and promote U.S. agricultural commodities and products worldwide.
Provides funding for projects that enable exporters to break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets.
Data and Analysis
Since USDA first established a stand-alone mission area focusing on trade and international affairs in 2017, USDA’s Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and the Foreign Agricultural Service have made significant trade policy advances to support U.S. agriculture. This series of commodity fact sheets highlights the many recent trade policy advances achieved by USDA.
The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, which entered into force on January 1, 2020, improved market access for U.S. products through the creation of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for food wheat, wheat products, malt, processed cheese, whey, glucose and fructose, potato starch, corn starch, and inulin.
Major specialty crops exported from the United States to the People’s Republic of China in 2023 include tree nuts ($1.2 billion), fresh fruit ($86 million), processed fruit ($70 million) and processed vegetables ($35 million).
News and Features
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced it is awarding $8.3 million in funding to help 11 U.S. recipients address trade barriers and expand international market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is...
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has awarded 22 grants for produce packaging research. To maintain market access and meet emerging foreign packaging requirements, U.S. fruit and vegetable exporters need innovative packaging solutions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has launched a new resource to support American farmers’ access to international trade opportunities. Maximum Residue Limit Quick Reference Sheets provide information about pesticide residue requirements in major export markets for U.S. producers and shippers of fruit, vegetables, nuts, pulses and other horticultural crops.