ASA, USSEC & WISHH Welcome USDA Allocation of Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program Funding
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (February 11, 2026) – The American Soybean Association (ASA), the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and the World Initiative for Soy and Human Health (WISHH) announced today that the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) has allocated $16,845,357 in Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) funds to support the promotion of U.S. Soy in international markets during the 2026 program year (January–December).
“The FMD and MAP programs are essential tools that enable American soybean farmers to compete and succeed in the global marketplace,” said Steve Censky, ASA CEO. “Through our partnerships with USSEC and WISHH, ASA strategically leverages these resources to build long-term capacity and demand for U.S. Soy around the world.”
Historically, U.S. market development programs have proven to deliver powerful returns helping to ensure U.S. farmers stay competitive in feeding a growing world; a 2022 study examining 17 years of USDA investments in market development found that every dollar invested returned $24.50.1
“These program investments are vital for helping U.S. Soy sustain and expand global market opportunities by building partnerships, addressing customer needs, and delivering the transparency and sustainability that international buyers value,” said Jim Sutter, USSEC CEO. “We are grateful to USDA-FAS for their championing U.S. agricultural export trade efforts around the world.”
This year’s allocation represents a 5.6% increase from 2025 funding levels, underscoring continued confidence in U.S. Soy’s contribution to the U.S. economy as a vital supplier in global food, feed, and fuel systems. In marketing year 2024/25, U.S. Soy exported 68.7 million metric tons valued at $29.6 billion of U.S.-grown whole soybeans, soybean meal, soybean oil — a 12.8% increase in year-over-year volume and a 2.95% gain over the five-year average.
The funding will be distributed via ASA, the cooperator of record for U.S. Soy’s participation in the MAP and FMD programs, to USSEC and WISHH to enhance market access, technical support, and demand-creation activities through strategic market development in emerging, developing, expansion and mature markets worldwide, creating long-term demand and expanded trade opportunities for U.S.-grown soybeans.
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Partially funded by USDA FAS
About the American Soybean Association: ASA represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers. More information at soygrowers.com.
About the U.S. Soybean Export Council: The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 90+ countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the Soy Checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service matching funds, and industry. Visit www.ussec.org for the latest information about USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.
About the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health: ASA/WISHH connects trade and development across global market systems, improving food security. Knowing that protein plays an essential role in human nutrition, visionary U.S. soybean growers founded WISHH in 2000 to serve as a catalyst in emerging markets. WISHH brings the power of strategic partnerships to our unique market-systems approach. Local business leaders, non-governmental organizations as well as academic institutions join us in increasing demand and fueling economic growth for the sustained availability of nutritious and affordable human foods and livestock feeds. WISHH is a program of the American Soybean Association and is funded in part by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs. USB’s vision is to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day.
[1] USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service – Cost-Benefit-Report