New Report Identifies Emerging Markets as Key to Future U.S. Agricultural Trade Growth
WASHINGTON, D.C. (SEPT. 23, 2026) — As American farmers face mounting economic pressures, a new Farm Journal Foundation report finds that emerging markets could create new demand for U.S. agricultural trade while supporting long-term global development.
Emerging markets, largely in Africa and South Asia, represent the biggest growth opportunities for American agricultural trade, according to a new report commissioned by the Foundation, “Building the Next Generation of U.S. Agricultural Export Markets.” However, many countries in these regions face challenges that prevent them from becoming mature, commercial markets. The report outlines how the U.S. can use global agricultural development, trade and market promotion programs, and cross-sector collaboration to help increase market readiness while supporting global development outcomes and long-term U.S. trade.
“America’s next generation of agricultural export markets will not emerge overnight,” said Shawn Arita, Associate Director of the Agricultural Risk Policy Center at North Dakota State University and the author of the report. “Many of today’s largest buyers once received U.S. food assistance, but becoming major commercial markets also took decades of economic growth, stronger local capacity, sustained industry engagement, and open trade. Better coordination between agricultural development and commercial engagement can help position U.S. agriculture in tomorrow’s growth markets.”
Nine out of 10 of the largest U.S. agricultural export destinations in 2024 had previously received U.S. assistance. Mexico and South Korea are two notable examples that have followed the path from historic food assistance to incredibly strong agricultural trade. Today, there are a number of emerging market countries that could potentially follow a similar trajectory.
“Supporting agricultural development in emerging markets can create a win-win situation for farmers here in the U.S. and abroad. We can enhance global food and nutrition security while laying the groundwork for the next generation of markets for American farmers,” said Grace Burton, Director of Government Affairs at Farm Journal Foundation. “This report provides new insight into how strategic U.S. investments can strengthen agricultural economies abroad and diversify U.S. agriculture export markets.”
The report comes as American farmers face rising input costs, weather challenges, trade disruptions, and emerging biosecurity threats. At the same time, many of the United States’ largest traditional agricultural export markets are expected to remain important but offer limited opportunities for significant future growth, increasing the importance of developing new sources of demand.
The paper outlines several ways in which the U.S. can support market readiness, including supporting income growth through agricultural development in emerging markets to build a strong consumer demand base for high-value goods; bolstering mechanisms for stronger value chains; strengthening regulatory systems and institutions; nurturing commercial relationships with commodity-focused industry organizations and private-sector companies; removing trade barriers by standardizing sanitary and phytosanitary measures; and creating familiarity and trust of U.S. products through sustained U.S. presence in partner countries. Rather than a single intervention, multiple efforts must take place. This approach can ultimately lead to self-sustained trade, with stronger stakeholder relationships, institutions, and economies over time.
Looking ahead, the report identified several opportunities to support both global food and nutrition security and U.S. trade. The key recommendations are:
Coordinating Existing Capabilities
Syncing trade-promotion and development efforts to advance aligned priorities
Updating the Global Food Security Strategy and Research Strategy to work across all U.S. departments and agencies, to help avoid work duplication and allow programs to build on each other
Increasing communications and coordination with cooperators, market-access organizations, and the private sector
Regularly assessing market growth indicators to gauge program success
Institutional Knowledge and Continuity
Supporting local capacity building and ongoing maintenance at every step
Emerging Market Engagement
Sustaining presence in key markets to support continuity and future growth
Tailoring and adjusting in-country engagement based on levels of market establishment
Regulatory and Market Access
Supporting the adoption of U.S. regulatory and biosafety standards to counter influence from competing countries
To read the full report or the executive summary, click the links below.
Media Contact
Whitney McFerron, Vice President of Communications
Farm Journal Foundation
About Farm Journal Foundation
Farm Journal Foundation is a farmer-centered nonpartisan organization working to advance agricultural innovation, global food and nutrition security, conservation, and rural economic development. The Foundation believes in a future where agriculture works for everyone – supporting strong farmer livelihoods, business growth, consumer access to nutritious, affordable foods, and the preservation of our country’s natural resources. Achieving this vision starts with conversations – bringing all voices to the table to discuss industry challenges and how innovation can unlock solutions that serve us all. To learn more, visit www.farmjournalfoundation.org.
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