The Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative is an innovative partnership between USDA and the specialty crops sector to break down non-tariff trade barriers that hinder U.S. exports of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, horticultural crops, and other products.
The initiative aims to open new international markets and solidify existing ones, ensuring that U.S. exports compete on fair and level playing field and helping producers and industry better understand the regulations and requirements that affect their ability to sell their products to foreign customers.
ASCE is different from USDA's traditional export market development programs in that, rather than beginning with a call for grant proposals, the projects will begin with a dialogue between the Foreign Agricultural Service and industry stakeholders to identify specific export challenges or concerns that can be addressed via targeted ASCE projects.
The projects will target such cross-cutting issues as:
- Addressing the implications of new and forthcoming regulations related to plastics and packaging for fresh produce and other specialty crop products;
- Helping U.S. exporters identify potential export markets and better understand the mechanics of exporting;
- Assisting U.S. exporters with navigating foreign standards, certifications, and import requirements, including maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides used on specialty crops;
- Helping importing countries adopt international standards and harmonize import regulations in order to facilitate trade.
ASCE projects are intended to benefit an entire industry or product category rather than a specific company. They are not intended to directly export products, identify specific foreign buyers, support market promotion activities, or deal with tariffs and related trade policy issues.
Products
ASCE supports products that fall under the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service definition of a specialty crop. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, pulses, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, and culinary herbs and spices, in addition to processed products such as wine that contain more than 50 percent of the specialty crop by weight (exclusive of added water).
For more information:
ASCE Initiative Team
Email: [email protected]
fas.usda.gov/programs