WASHINGTON — The Pet Food Institute (PFI) announced that it has been awarded $1.4 million in Market Access Program (MAP) funding by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) for 2025.
Since 1993, PFI has engaged in export promotion through MAP, which supports global promotion of US agricultural goods. According to PFI, it has used the program to promote US pet food in key foreign markets, aiding in the export of $2.49 billion worth of US pet food products in 2024, with products shipped to more than 90 countries.
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 US pet food. These markets include Brazil, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Mexico, the Middle East, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.
“This funding will enable PFI to continue its commitment to promoting complete-and-balanced US-made pet food to consumers around the world to help cats and dogs live long, healthy lives,” said Nat Davies, vice president of business operations and programs at PFI. “PFI’s Market Access Program aims to boost US 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.”
According to PFI, the work done by its in-country representatives is vital to understanding consumer attitudes and habits in overseas markets, which enables PFI to provide the US pet food industry with valuable market insights to expand exports. PFI also makes matching contributions to compliment the funds provided by USDA.
For each dollar invested in the expansion of export markets through MAP and similar export development programs US agricultural exports increased by more than $24, according to the USDA.
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