Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC)?
The U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council is a non-profit private-sector trade association which serves as a convener for its members on issues related to export development and international trade policy.
What is the mission of USAEDC?
To maximize global consumer demand for U.S. agricultural products while ensuring environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability.
What organizations comprise the membership of USAEDC?
USAEDC is an organization whose more than 100 members are national U.S. commodity trade associations, farmer cooperatives and state regional trade groups, representing most producers of food, fiber and seafood. We work very closely with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in developing, expanding and maintaining markets worldwide. USAEDC assists members in their export promotion efforts, specifically those leveraging export promotion programs through the FAS.
What is the purpose of federal export programs?
These activities focus on increasing the knowledge of and demand for U.S. agricultural exports by any combination of the following target audiences in a foreign market: consumer, processor, distributor and/or importer. Trade development activities are designed to discover the potential for a market through research into the size and structure of the market, competition, the likely U.S. share, the nature, the tariffs and trade barriers, and the interest of local trade and processors in testing, sampling, or learning about U.S. products. Promotional activities build on this knowledge and may include trade missions, technical training, trade servicing, literature, trade shows, in-store promotions, demonstrations, seminars, etc.
What other purpose does USAEDC serve?
USAEDC serves as an information resource for its members on regulatory and legislative issues that may impact their ability to export their products. USAEDC also serves as the positive media voice for export development programs and our Cooperator community. We also provide a platform for our members and the USDA to discuss the operation and implementation of these programs overseas.
Who may join USAEDC?
Membership in USAEDC is open to U.S. trade associations and other organizations with an interest in the promotion of U.S. agricultural exports; individual memberships are not available. There are four membership categories:
- Cooperator Members: for those groups that have entered into an export promotion program agreement with USDA/FAS.
- Associate Members: for other agricultural organizations which have a major interest in the export of agricultural products or may be eligible to enter into export program agreements with FAS/USDA.
- Allied Members: for those organizations that perform administrative tasks on behalf of any Cooperator Member and these tasks comprise the majority of their work.
- Affiliate Members: for those organizations that have provided market development services for a period of no less than two years on behalf of any Cooperator Member.
The Board of Directors of USAEDC must approve all memberships. If you are interested, please contact Lorena Alfaro lalfaro@usaedc.org or view our membership applications here.