The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed $8.3 million in fiscal year 2025 to help address trade barriers and expand international market access for American specialty crops, a category that includes potatoes.

The funding, announced on September 17, is provided under the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. TASC supports projects that tackle sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical restrictions that limit the export potential of U.S. crops such as fruits, vegetables, nuts—and potatoes.

“Our market development programs are bringing the bounty of American agriculture to people around the world, helping millions of hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers connect their safe, high-quality products with growing export markets,” said Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg. “Not only does TASC provide the tools they need to overcome technical obstacles, it also chips away at the nearly $50 billion Biden-era agricultural trade deficit which has held back rural America for far too long.”

The program annually makes $9 million available, with FY2025 funds distributed among 11 U.S. recipients, including non-profit trade associations, farmer cooperatives, and state-level agencies. These organizations carry out international promotion, research, and technical projects on behalf of producers and processors.

According to USDA, its market development programs deliver an estimated return of $24.50 for every dollar invested.

The potato industry has historically benefited from TASC funding through trade groups that seek to maintain and expand access in markets such as Mexico, Asia, and North Africa, where regulatory hurdles have often posed significant challenges.

The full list of FY2025 recipients and further details about the TASC program can be found on the USDA website here .