USDA Announces Expanded Suite of Trade, Development and Food Security Opportunities for Venezuela

Washington, D.C., September 10, 2026 - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service outlined several program opportunities to strengthen commercial engagement, bolster food security and expand market access in Venezuela. These efforts leverage USDA's full range of trade promotion, capacity-building and food assistance tools to support U.S. exporters and strengthen regional resilience as Venezuela continues to recover from recent earthquakes.

"The Trump Administration is committed to Venezuela's economic prosperity, and USDA is leveraging our export financing, market development programs, technical fellowships and food assistance efforts to meet this moment," said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. "Having visited Venezuela just days after its devastating earthquakes, I have seen tenacity in the face of hardship and look forward to positioning U.S. agriculture to help meet critical needs and build lasting trade relationships."

FAS support opportunities include:

Market Promotion and Export Assistance

• Working with approved U.S. agricultural cooperators to leverage Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program funds for exploratory market research, trade seminars and consumer promotion activities within Venezuela.
• Exploring the possibility of including Venezuela as a destination for an upcoming regional agribusiness trade mission, which would connect U.S. exporters directly with regional buyers.
• Building on its Aug. 19 virtual market spotlight that covered the Venezuelan market environment, FAS will continue providing updated tools and resources for U.S. exporters.

Credit and Export Financing

• Promoting sales of U.S. farm products to Venezuelan importers through the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program, which guarantees payment to U.S. exporters and removes risk by providing an alternative credit option for Venezuelan purchases.  
• Lifting restrictions under recent enhancements to the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Initiative, allowing any approved foreign bank to back Venezuelan transactions. This expands the available credit pool for Venezuelan buyers and paves the way for a smoother flow of U.S. commodities into the market.

Capacity Building and Fellowships

• Hosting Venezuelan scientists and researchers through the Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program to exchange knowledge and support agricultural innovation.
• Providing short-term technical training for Venezuelan agricultural professionals via the Cochran Fellowship Program to strengthen local regulatory frameworks and expand opportunities for safe, high-quality U.S. agricultural exports.

International Food Assistance

• Evaluating conditions in Venezuela and whether programs such as McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition, Food for Progress and Food for Peace can deliver food assistance and agricultural development support to communities experiencing food insecurity.

Take Advantage of Emerging Market Opportunities

To access the complete toolkit of USDA resources, check your company's eligibility for the GSM-102 program and stay up to date as FAS evaluates regional agribusiness trade mission potential for early 2027, visit the FAS website at www.fas.usda.gov.

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