NDSU research finds bill gives U.S. ag trade promotion historic boost
A new blog from NDSU’s Agricultural Risk Policy Center analyzes the transformative impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on U.S. agricultural trade promotion.
Passed by the U.S. Senate in June 2025, the OBBB increases total agricultural outlays by $65.69 billion through FY2034, without raising overall spending levels — thanks to offsetting reforms in nutrition assistance programs.
Dongin Kim’s analysis highlights a major shift in the federal government’s approach to agricultural export support. While most funding increases in the bill target farm safety net programs like PLC, ARC and crop insurance, the legislation also dedicates $2.19 billion in new mandatory funding to agricultural trade promotion under Title I, Subtitle F: Investments in Rural America.
Among the most notable provisions:
• Creation of a new Supplemental Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, launching in FY2027
• Long-overdue funding boost to complement long-standing programs like the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development
• Estimated annual trade promotion spending exceeding $825 million by FY2034, up from approximately $235 million today
“This marks the first significant expansion of U.S. trade promotion efforts in decades,” Kim said. “The new program provides long-term budget certainty, enabling producers and exporters to plan more strategically for global competitiveness.”
According to Kim, this increase in funding is especially critical as U.S. farmers and agribusinesses face intensifying global competition from countries with robust export promotion policies, such as those in the European Union and South America.
The new OBBB program is expected to support market research, trade facilitation, consumer outreach and other strategic tools that help U.S. agricultural products reach new markets.
Notably, small and mid-sized exporters, who often lack direct access to foreign buyers, stand to benefit from expanded support. By boosting resources for long-term market development, the bill enhances the capacity of commodity boards, cooperatives and producer groups to build brand recognition and expand their international reach.
Historical data cited in the analysis shows strong returns on investment for trade promotion efforts. According to IHS Markit, each dollar invested in MAP and FMD from 1977 to 2019 generated up to $24.50 in additional agricultural exports, evidence of the programs' effectiveness in driving U.S. farm income and trade competitiveness.
Kim’s research contributes to a broader understanding of how strategic trade policy and rural investment can bolster the resilience and growth of American agriculture in a rapidly evolving global market.
For more information, contact Dongin Kim at dongin.kim@ndsu.edu.