The US Department of Agriculture has allocated 2026 Market Access Programme and Foreign Market Development funds, awarding USA Rice more than US$5 million to support overseas promotion, reports US Rice Daily of Arlington, Virginia.

USA Rice is one of only 18 organisations receiving FMD funds. President and CEO Peter Bachmann said the programmes are vital in helping American farmers remain competitive amid industry headwinds.

USA Rice combines state checkoff funds, industry dues and federal allocations to promote US rice in nearly two dozen overseas markets. Senior vice president Steve Vargas said the funds have helped boost exports to Japan, Honduras and the West Bank.

The USDA also awarded US$77,000 to support promotional activities for wild rice, benefiting the California Wild Rice Advisory Board and the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council.

With half of the US rice crop exported, industry leaders said the MAP and FMD programmes are critical to sustaining and expanding global market share for American rice producers.