Washington Fruit Growers To Receive ATP Funds

On Friday, the USDA announced additional funding for four dozen organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets.  The ATP is part of the USDA’s Trade Aid package to provide relief in the wake of the trade war with China.  And Northwest fruit growers were some of the beneficiaries.

Washington Apple Commission was awarded $8,457,600 in January.  And with the $1.5 million announced Friday, Washington Apple Commission has received a total of $9,957,600 in ATP funding.

Meanwhile the Washington State Fruit Commission was awarded $709,203 in January of this year.  And with the $456,297 awarded last week, the Fruit Commission has received a total of $1,165,500 in ATP funding.

ATP is administered by Foreign Agriculture Services.

“Washingtonians are proud of the iconic apples and fruit we produce and export to dozens of countries around the world,” Representative Dan Newhouse said Friday. “President Trump is working to level the playing field on trade for farmers across the country, but retaliatory tariffs from China and our other large trading partners have temporarily narrowed our access to some of Washington’s biggest customers. Thank you, Secretary Perdue, for listening to farmers and providing this critical funding to help Washington apple growers and fruit producers find relief, expand their markets, and make an even bigger international footprint.”

“The Washington Apple Commission appreciates the opportunity to use additional Agriculture Trade Promotion funding to market Washington apples on behalf of our grower membership. The retaliatory tariffs haven been extremely challenging for our industry and this second allocation will build on the planned promotional activities to combat these negative impacts,” said Toni Lynn Adams, with the Washington Apple Commission. “The funding will help keep us competitive with other apple producing origins, build awareness of Washington apples with consumers in target export markets and nurture growing markets for Washington apples that hold a lot of potential moving forward. We will strive to make this funding as effective and efficient as possible on behalf of growers and shippers. This will help start the new season on a positive note and bolster our presence worldwide.”

For a complete breakdown of the recent round of ATP funding, visit the FSA's Website.

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