(NAFB.com) – The USDA announced it has awarded more than $25 million to support eight projects under the new Assisting Specialty Crop Imports (ASCE) Initiative. USDA launched the initiative in January 2024 as part of the agency’s commitment to create more and better markets for U.S. producers and agribusinesses. “Specialty crop exporters face many import requirements in every foreign market they enter, yet they often don’t have the economies of scale to develop the required certifications or negotiate favorable terms,” says Alexis Taylor, USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. “This innovative partnership between USDA and the specialty crops sector focuses on projects to address the non-tariff trade barriers that hinder America’s exports of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, horticultural crops, and related products.” U.S. exports of specialty crops totaled $25.8 billion last year, increasing the bottom line for producers nationwide and driving economic development in their local communities and beyond.