The Pet Food Institute (PFI), whose members produce the vast majority of dog and cat food and treats in the United States, announced that it has been awarded $1.4 million in Market Access Program (MAP) funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) for 2025.
Since 1993, PFI has engaged in export promotion through MAP, which supports global promotion of U.S. agricultural goods. PFI has used the program to promote U.S. pet food in key foreign markets, aiding in the export of $2.49 billion in U.S. pet food in 2024, with products shipped to over 90 countries. As a cooperator in MAP, PFI will use USDA grant funds to continue engaging in marketing activities across 10 Markets (18 countries) in 2025, to promote the safety and quality of U.S. pet food. These Markets include Brazil, the Caribbean (The Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos and Cayman Islands), Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador and Guatemala), China, Colombia, Mexico, the Middle East (The UAE and Israel), the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.
“This funding will enable PFI to continue its commitment to promoting complete and balanced U.S.-made pet food to consumers around the world to help cats and dogs live long, healthy lives,” said Nat Davies, PFI’s Vice President of Business Operations and Programs. “PFI’s Market Access Program aims to boost U.S. pet food and treat exports through marketing and promotions, improving local veterinarians’ knowledge in pet nutrition and partnering with rescue groups to enhance animal welfare.”
The work done by PFI’s in-country representatives is vital to understanding consumer attitudes and habits in overseas markets, which enables PFI to provide the American pet food industry with valuable market insights to expand exports. PFI also makes matching contributions to compliment the funds provided by USDA.
These programs are very important for U.S. businesses as, according to the USDA, for each $1 invested in the expansion of export markets through MAP and similar export development programs U.S. agricultural exports increased by more than $24.
To learn more about PFI’s MAP activities and impact, visit www.petfoodinstitute.org/MAP.