USDBC Receives New Funding for Central America

Earlier this month, USDBC received a new grant for $117,000 under USDA/FAS’ Emerging Markets Program, focused on increasing US dry bean exports to DR-CAFTA countries through a series of seminars on new product development utilizing diverse types of U.S. dry beans. Specifically, USDBC will conduct one-day seminars in five countries, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, to provide training in the characteristics and use of five types of U.S. dry beans that are different than the regions’ traditional beans. Seminar Participants will be representatives of regional dry bean industries and food processors, manufacturers and retailers from each country.

This program responds to the growing interest of regional food industries in different types of US dry beans and how they can be utilized, and relies on the US competitive advantage given the duty-free access to all countries in the region. The program also addresses the increased demand in the region for healthy, easily prepared plant-based meals and will build off of the US reputation for high quality beans and reliability. The introduction of non-traditional bean types and technical assistance for utilization will develop this market for a wide variety of US dry beans and increase US dry bean exports. Increasing knowledge of US dry beans in DR-CAFTA countries will also help more farmers, processors, and dealers from the US sell to the region. With duty-free trade, regular imports, growing demand, and a vibrant packaging and prepared foods sector, this region continues to be an important emerging market for U.S. dry beans. We are grateful to USDA/FAS for their continued support of our program development.