The Pet Food Institute (PFI) has been awarded US$1.35 million in Market Access Program (MAP) funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service for 2026. PFI and the pet food industry will provide matching contributions of at least 35% of the funding.
As a MAP cooperator since 1993, PFI will use the grant funding to continue marketing and promotional activities across 11 markets spanning 19 countries. These markets include Brazil, the Caribbean (The Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and Cayman Islands), Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, and Guatemala), China, Colombia, India, Mexico, the Middle East (The UAE and Israel), the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.
PFI also operates a global program that supports U.S. pet food manufacturers in expanding their export knowledge and identifying international market opportunities.
PFI's in-country representatives gather insight into the perspective of pet owners in international markets, providing U.S. pet food manufacturers with information to grow their international presence.
"PFI's Market Access Program works to bolster U.S. pet food and treat exports by supporting marketing and promotional efforts, strengthening local veterinary education in pet nutrition, and collaborating with rescue organizations to advance animal welfare initiatives," said Nat Davies, PFI's vice president of Business Operations and Programs. "USDA's support allows us to continue this important work we've proudly carried out for more than three decades, aiming to help pets live longer, healthier lives around the world."
USDA data shows that every $1 invested in expanding export markets through MAP and similar programs generates more than $24 in U.S. agricultural exports.
