US trade body the Organic Trade Association (OTA) says it has received a “record level of funding of more than $1 million” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program (MAP) to promote US organic products around the world in 2023.
The award, totalling $1,011,911 in new funding to the association, is an almost 10 percent increase from the 2022 levels, and the largest MAP award ever received by OTA.
“The Organic Trade Association is proud to have been an official cooperator in USDA’s Market Access Program for more than 20 years, leading to huge wins for the organic industry,” said Sarah Gorman, International Trade Manager for OTA. “Our market promotion efforts have created opportunities that have generated millions of dollars in new sales and expanded global market access for our participating businesses, establishing new organic customers around the world.”
“Our nation’s organic farmers benefit from global trade,” said Tom Chapman, CEO of OTA. “Connecting organic producers and businesses with developing and often untapped organic markets and educating consumers everywhere about the benefits of U.S. organic help keep organic profitable and sustainable.”
Full plate of global activities in 2023
The association will be showcasing American-produced organic products to a wide and diverse global audience in the coming year. OTA currently has 10 international activities planned for 2023 — from the world’s biggest organic trade fair in Germany to trade missions stretching across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Some of the key promotional events planned for 2023 include:
- BIOFACH. Nuremberg, Germany, February 14-19,
- FOOD & HOTEL Asia. Singapore, April 25-28.
- Expo West, Expo East and Organic Produce Summit buyers’ missions.
Main image: Biofach, the world’s largest organic trade fair, at which the OTA will have a major presence in 2023