By Scout Nelson
A recent blog from North Dakota State University’s Agricultural Risk Policy Center explores the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) on U.S. agricultural trade promotion. Passed by the Senate in June 2025, the bill raises agricultural spending by $65.69 billion through 2034, without increasing total government spending. It accomplishes this by making cost-saving reforms in nutrition assistance programs.
According to the analysis by Dongin Kim, the bill marks a major change in how the government supports farm exports. While most funding in the OBBB goes to farm safety net programs like Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), and crop insurance, it also provides $2.19 billion in new mandatory funding for trade promotion under Title I, Subtitle F: Investments in Rural America.
Key highlights of the bill include:
- A new Supplemental Agricultural Trade Promotion Program starting in FY2027
- A funding increase for long-time programs like the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD)
- Estimated annual trade promotion funding of $825 million by 2034, up from $235 million today
These funds will support market research, trade facilitation, and consumer outreach, helping American agricultural products reach more international buyers. Smaller exporters, who often lack direct global connections, will benefit most from these expanded programs.
Kim’s report notes that past investments in MAP and FMD returned up to $24.50 in export value for every dollar spent, showing how effective trade promotion can be in growing farm income and rural economies.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Government & Policy