successful, now is to support new styles and patterns for finished goods in countries importing raw cotton so as to expand usage of U.S. cotton in these countries. This cooperator is continuing its effecive Far East programs of cooperative advertising and promotion abroad, sending U.S. cotton trade teams to important cotton importing countries, bringing foreign mill decision makers to the U.S.; and providing technical assistance to U.S. cotton's foreign customers. Its programs are being expanded in Europe. Mink Breeders Association: Starting foreign market development cooperation with FAS in 1968, this cooperator achieved exports valued at $22 million. The value of these exports in 1977 was $67 million; a three-fold increase stimulated by modest federal support (0.5%). Major markets are the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Greece and Japan. Cling Peach Advisory Board: Products promoted by the Board are canned clingstone peaches and canned fruit cocktail. For many years the major market was Western Europe; a market now eroding as a result of European Economic Community expansion and its protective agricultural policy. But marketing diversity pays off as demonstrated by a three-fold increase in exports to Japan in 1977. And activities are being initiated for smaller new markets. American Seed Trade Association: This Association's activities have seen appreciable growth in the value of exports which has encouraged surveys of new markets in the developing areas of Asia, South America and Africa, and the promotion of new varietie within established markets. Avocado Advisory Board: This Board is a very recent cooperator but has already developed very promising prospects in Japan. Florida Citrus Commission: The Commission is a long-time cooperator particularly in European markets. Its primary commodity interest is orange juice for which it has developed a unique "three party" approach. Under this plan the promotional activitie directed by the Commission, are financed equally by the Commission, the foreign distributor and FAS. Additionally, stress has been placed on fresh grapefruit in Europe and Japan. New market investigations include Hong Kong and the Middle East. Again, Mr. Chairman, the Agricultural Cooperator Council appreciates the opportunity to submit its views on--and justification of--the need for increased federal funding of USDA's foreign market development program to maintain and expand exports of U.S. agricultural products; our nation and our respective industries have a major economic stake in the accomplishment of this objective. 1978 Members of the Agricultural Cooperator Council American Angus Association American Brahman Breeders' Association American Hereford Association American Quarter Horse Association American Seed Trade Association American Soybean Association Burley and Dark Leaf Tobacco Export Association, Inc. California Almond Growers Exchange California Cling Peach Advisory Board California Raisin Advisory Board Cotton Council International Dairy Society International D-N-E Sales, Inc. Emba Mink Breeders' Association Florida Department of Citrus Great Plains Wheat, Inc. Holstein-Friesian Association of America International Brangus Breeders' Association, Inc. Leaf Tobacco Exporters Association Mohair Council of America National Association of Animal Breeders National Peanut Council National Renderers' Association, Inc. Poultry and Egg Institute of America U.S. Feed Grains Council U.S. Meat Export Federation Western Wheat Associates, U.S.A., Inc. TABLE I USDA, FAS, Foreign Market Development Activities History, Phases and Achievements Value of U.S. agricultural exports INPUT/OUTPUT Funds supplied by FAS as percent of value of U.S. agricultural exports. POS NEG Number of years during which the trade balance is positive or negative. Definitions: Fiscal Year Expenditures of Federal Funds and Cooperator Contributions, and Total Agricultural Exports Col. 4: Cooperator expenditures from own and related funds including foreign. Col. 6 & 7: Share of total expenditures by source. Col. 8: Value of total U.S. exports of agricultural commodities. Col. 9 & 10: Market development costs as percent of value of total exports. SOURCE: USDA, FAS and ERS. |