Market and Production Development dIVISION

• Agricultural Business Development
• Agricultural Water Management
• Events and Activities
• Foreign Trade Assistance
• Farmland Protection
• Food and Farm Products Marketing
• Finding Maine Food and Farms
• Public Information
• Senior FarmShare Program
• Staff Contacts

Marketing Assistance in Foreign Trade

The Division helps Maine producers and manufacturers identify opportunities to increase sales of products overseas and improve business and farm incomes.

The Market Access Program (M.A.P.) is administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in conjunction with the state Departments of Agriculture. Through the Food Export USA – Northeast partnership of 10 states, funds are provided to finance promotional activities in specific foreign-country markets in order to encourage development and expansion of foreign trade. Companies who participate in M.A.P. receive a 50 percent reimbursement for eligible advertising expenses, promotional expenses, and trade show expenses, based on a pre-approved application. Applications are currently being accepted.

Small companies, those with fewer than 500 employees, are the top priority for funding. The majority of funds are set aside to be distributed to small companies. For information, contact the Maine Department of Agriculture at 207-287-9072. Please call for an application kit. Companies may also call Food Export USA-Northeast, a non-profit trade association, at 215-829-9111.