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This bill would help U.S. farm exports reach more foreign markets by improving the basic systems those markets need to handle food safely and efficiently. It directs the Agriculture Secretary to work with eligible trade organizations to provide technical help in developing countries, such as planning, training, and assessments of weak spots in infrastructure. The goal is to reduce losses of U.S. agricultural goods caused by poor refrigeration, weak shipping systems, and other supply chain problems.
- The bill focuses on new and developing foreign markets where infrastructure is not strong enough to support imports well.
- It specifically mentions help for cold storage and refrigeration systems, port improvements, and other supply chain upgrades.
- The Agriculture Secretary would use contracts or other agreements with eligible trade organizations to carry out the work.
- The bill authorizes $1 million each year from fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and any unused money could be used for the existing trade program.
Official Summaries
Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports Act of 2025 or the FRIDGE Act of 2025
This bill expands the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program to include funding for technical assistance for infrastructure-related projects to ensure U.S. agricultural commodities are not damaged or lost due to infrastructure deficiencies in new and developing markets. This Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) program funds projects that address long-term opportunities to reduce foreign import constraints or expand export growth opportunities.
Specifically, the bill directs FAS to enter into contracts or other agreements with trade organizations to enhance the infrastructure capabilities (including cold chain capacity and port improvements) in new and developing foreign markets through needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2322 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2322
To provide technical assistance to improve infrastructure in foreign
markets for United States agricultural commodities.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2025
Mr. Feenstra (for himself, Mr. Mann, Mr. Costa, and Mr. Carbajal)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide technical assistance to improve infrastructure in foreign
markets for United States agricultural commodities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fortifying Refrigeration
Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports Act of 2025'' or the
``FRIDGE Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) One of the largest limiting factors to growing export
markets for United States food and agriculture products is
insufficient infrastructure capabilities.
(2) Current trade programs are focused on promoting
specific commodities or products, all of which are reliant on a
functioning supply chain.
(3) There is a need for dedicated resources to focus on
supply chain enhancement in developing countries to enable
market expansion and diversification.
(4) Each year, billions of tons of fresh and frozen food
products and millions of dollars' worth of United States
exports are lost due to poor cold chain systems in developing
markets.
(5) Strengthening global infrastructure plays an important
role in promoting trade, reducing food loss and waste, and
improving nutrition.
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE IN FOREIGN
MARKETS FOR UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.
Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C.
5623(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Technical assistance to improve infrastructure in
foreign markets for united states agricultural commodities.--
``(A) In general.--As part of the program
established under this subsection, the Secretary shall
enter into contracts or other agreements with eligible
trade organizations to provide needs assessments,
training, and other technical assistance to enhance the
capabilities of infrastructure in new and developing
foreign markets, including infrastructure relating to
cold chain capacity, port improvements, and other
developments, to ensure United States agricultural
commodities are not damaged or lost due to deficiencies
of such infrastructure.
``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--
``(i) In general.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this paragraph
$1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026
through 2030.
``(ii) Rule of construction.--Amounts
authorized to be appropriated under this
subparagraph may be used only for the purposes
described in subparagraph (A).
``(iii) Availability.--Amounts authorized
to be appropriated under this subparagraph that
are not used to carry out this paragraph are
authorized to be made available to carry out
the program established under this
subsection.''.
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