The Foreign
Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S.
agriculture to the world to enhance export
opportunities and global food security.
In addition
to its Washington, D.C. staff, FAS has a global
network of 96 offices covering 169 countries. These offices are
staffed by agricultural attachés and locally
hired staff who are the eyes, ears, and voice
for U.S. agriculture around the world. FAS staff
identify problems, provide practical solutions,
and work to advance opportunities for U.S.
agriculture and support U.S. foreign policy
around the globe.
Our Programs and
Services
Trade Policy
FAS expands
and maintains access to foreign markets for U.S.
agricultural products by removing trade barriers
and enforcing U.S. rights under existing trade
agreements. FAS works with foreign governments,
international organizations, and the Office of
the U.S. Trade Representative to establish
international standards and rules to improve
accountability and predictability for
agricultural trade.
Market Development
and Export
Assistance
FAS partners
with 75 cooperator groups representing a
cross-section of the
U.S. food and agricultural industry and
manages a toolkit of market development programs
to help U.S. exporters develop and maintain
markets for hundreds of products. FAS also
supports U.S. agricultural exporters through export credit
guarantee programs and other types of assistance.
Data and Analysis
FAS’s network of global contacts and long-standing
relationships with international groups
contribute to the agency’s unique market
intelligence capacity. FAS analysts provide
objective intelligence on foreign market
opportunities, prepare production forecasts,
assess export marketing opportunities, and track
changes in policies affecting U.S. agricultural
exports and imports.
International
Development
FAS leads USDA’s efforts to help developing countries improve their
agricultural systems and build their trade
capacity. FAS also partners with the U.S.
Agency for International Development to
administer U.S. food aid programs, helping
people in need around the world. FAS’s
non-emergency food aid programs help meet
recipients’ nutritional needs and also support
agricultural development and education.
