
The Pet Food Institute (PFI) has received a US$1.65 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding is part of USDA’s $300 million RAPP initiative aimed at diversifying U.S. agricultural exports by targeting emerging markets with growing consumer demand.
Of the total allocation, $325,000 is earmarked for promotional activities in South Africa, a priority market for U.S.-made pet food products. PFI plans to use the funds to promote the safety, quality, and nutritional benefits of U.S. pet food while addressing regulatory challenges in countries like South Africa and Australia.
According to PFI, RAPP uniquely equips it to address regulatory hurdles in priority markets, noting that overcoming these barriers is essential for growth opportunities in complex regulatory environments.
This allocation follows an earlier tranche of RAPP funding in which PFI received nearly $2.05 million to promote U.S. pet food in Taiwan, South Korea, South Africa, Central America, and through global messaging programs. Additionally, PFI was awarded over $1.3 million for the 2024 fiscal year under USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP), further supporting its efforts to expand international market access.
The Pet Food Institute (PFI) provides information about pet food and treat safety, nutrition and health to pet owners and advocates for a transparent, science-based regulatory environment for its members.
Adapted from a press release.