1. Export Development Program News

USDA Announces New Investment in Export Market Development

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Director of International Relations

Steve is the international relations director at the Brewers Association. In his role, Steve manages the Export Development Program (EDP) which educates international trade and media about the quality and diversity of products offered by American craft brewers and helps member breweries grow their business in international markets. Prior to his role as EDP manager, Steve spent six and a half years as the assistant director of the American Homebrewers Association helping small & independent brewers and homebrew retailers expand their reach among homebrewers. He lives in Boulder, Colo., where he is a homebrewer, Certified BJCP beer judge, and Advanced Cicerone®.

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its decision to invest $1.3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for a new export promotion and foreign market development program—the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP).

The funds come at the request of Senate Agriculture Committee chairwoman Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.), who urged USDA to provide additional program funds in the absence of a new Farm Bill. U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) members have been urging Congress to double funding for export programs in the next Farm Bill.

The Brewers Association (BA) applauds USDA and our congressional leaders for their support of increased export promotion support for U.S. products, including exported American craft beer.

The BA’s Export Development Program has been involved in export promotion since 2004 and utilizes these programs to assist U.S. breweries in identifying opportunities for international expansion and to support marketing initiatives that increase awareness of the quality of U.S. craft beer. Since the program’s inception, U.S. craft beer exports have grown more than 1,200%.

Link to author biography
Director of International Relations

Steve is the international relations director at the Brewers Association. In his role, Steve manages the Export Development Program (EDP) which educates international trade and media about the quality and diversity of products offered by American craft brewers and helps member breweries grow their business in international markets. Prior to his role as EDP manager, Steve spent six and a half years as the assistant director of the American Homebrewers Association helping small & independent brewers and homebrew retailers expand their reach among homebrewers. He lives in Boulder, Colo., where he is a homebrewer, Certified BJCP beer judge, and Advanced Cicerone®.

See Steve Parr's Articles