Press Room

Fact Sheet
SUSTA is a non-profit trade association aimed at increasing the export of high-value U.S. food and agricultural products.

SUSTA administers programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Program funding comes from FAS (the Foreign Agricultural Service), private business and the member state Departments of Agriculture.

The Market Access Program (MAP) Brand Promotion provides companies with up to 50% reimbursement for international marketing expenses; eligible marketing activities include trade show participation, advertising, in-store demonstrations, consumer or retailer educational seminars, product label compliance, etc.

Companies must apply for MAP Brand Promotion each year. The program runs January 1 to December 31.

Companies are eligible for SUSTA’s Brand Promotion if they: 1) have fewer than 500 employees (fewer than 100 if the company is a wholesaler or an export broker), 2) have at least $100,000 in sales, and 3) have products with at least a 50% U.S. origin.

To participate in the MAP Brand Promotion, there is a $250 application fee and a 6% administrative fee. [A company requesting the minimum $2,500 must spend at total of $5,000. The company will be reimbursed for $2,500 and owe SUSTA 6% of the requested $2,500, or $150.]

SUSTA offers additional low-cost activities that are organized by the state Departments of Agriculture. These activities, which fall under the International Marketing Program (formerly Generic), focus on uniting U.S. companies with foreign buyers through Trade Missions, Reverse Trade Missions and one-on-one meetings.

Approval of applicants is in the discretion of SUSTA and in accordance with its construction of its purpose.

Other services offered by SUSTA include market research, industry-wide promotions and exporting seminars.

For more information, call (504) 568-5986 or email susta@susta.org. SUSTA’s website is www.susta.org.