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USDA Awards Increased Funding for BA Export Development Program in 2022

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Director of International Relations

Steve is the international relations director at the Brewers Association. In his role, Steve manages the Export Development Program (EDP) which educates international trade and media about the quality and diversity of products offered by American craft brewers and helps member breweries grow their business in international markets. Prior to his role as EDP manager, Steve spent six and a half years as the assistant director of the American Homebrewers Association helping small & independent brewers and homebrew retailers expand their reach among homebrewers. He lives in Boulder, Colo., where he is a homebrewer, Certified BJCP beer judge, and Advanced Cicerone®.

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Funding will be used to promote and complement international expansion opportunities for American craft brewers

Boulder, Colo. • February 9, 2022 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has awarded the Brewers Association (BA) $929,048 through the Market Access Program (MAP) for the 2022 program year. This represents a 32% increase compared with 2021 and is a record MAP allocation for the BA.

American craft beer ambassador Lotte Peplow, global beer ambassador Adam Dulye, and EDP manager Steve Parr present American craft beer alongside French cheese in Paris, France.

Through the Export Development Program (EDP), the BA supports American craft brewers’ international expansion efforts through marketing and promotion activities around the globe, including participation in trade fairs and festivals, international beer competition entry fee coverage, a global beer importer network, export education, media relations, and market research.

Increased funding comes following USDA recognition of the program’s achievements in implementing and reporting on marketing activities in recent years, submission of success stories, and continued collaboration with FAS offices around the world.

“American craft brewers are widely recognized as pioneering the now global craft beer revolution through the innovative use of ingredients and a commitment to quality,” says Steve Parr, export development program manager, Brewers Association. “The BA is eager to express its appreciation for USDA’s longstanding partnership in promoting and supporting American craft beer exports. Combined with additional funding from other FAS programs such as the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) and the Emerging Markets Program (EMP), this increased USDA support will allow for EDP promotional efforts in target markets to have an even greater impact.”

Since the EDP’s inception in 2004, American craft beer exports have increased by 1,400%, with a 2020 value estimated at $66 million.

Chinese trade members attend an American craft beer tasting event in Shenyang.

The Export Development Program, which generates exposure for American craft beer through trade shows, festivals, seminars, media outreach, and competitions, among other activities, was initiated in 2004 with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture Market Access Program. There are now approximately 150 small and independent brewers exporting their beers from the U.S., by EDP estimates.

Link to author biography
Director of International Relations

Steve is the international relations director at the Brewers Association. In his role, Steve manages the Export Development Program (EDP) which educates international trade and media about the quality and diversity of products offered by American craft brewers and helps member breweries grow their business in international markets. Prior to his role as EDP manager, Steve spent six and a half years as the assistant director of the American Homebrewers Association helping small & independent brewers and homebrew retailers expand their reach among homebrewers. He lives in Boulder, Colo., where he is a homebrewer, Certified BJCP beer judge, and Advanced Cicerone®.

See Steve Parr's Articles