AFIA secures US$175,000 to expand U.S. pet food exports in Asia

VIETNAM – American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has received US$175,000 in funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service under the American First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) to support export development for U.S. pet food and feed ingredients.

The funding will be used to organise a buyers and sellers conference focused on pet food and ingredients, scheduled to take place in Vietnam this October.

The event is expected to bring together buyers from across East and Southeast Asia, providing a platform for U.S. suppliers to connect directly with regional importers and manufacturers.

AFIA said the initiative aims to strengthen market access for American animal food products in regions where demand for pet nutrition continues to grow.

East and Southeast Asia are emerging as key markets, driven by rising pet ownership and increasing demand for higher-quality and specialised pet food products.

“We appreciate FAS’s trust in, and enthusiasm for, our industry. With this new funding, the AFIA can enhance promotion of American animal food products and ingredients abroad, a key component of growing industry market access and reducing the agriculture trade deficit,” said Constance Cullman, AFIA president and chief executive officer.

The AFTPP grant adds to the association’s existing support under the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Market Access Program (MAP).

Earlier in 2026, AFIA secured US$205,392 through MAP to support the development of new international markets for U.S. animal nutrition products.

Combined, the association’s total federal funding for 2026 exceeds US$380,000.

AFIA plans to use these resources to expand export opportunities, strengthen trade relationships, and position U.S. pet food and feed ingredients more competitively in global markets.

“AFIA members will have the opportunity this fall to travel to Vietnam to sell directly to interested buyers from across the region and put American pet food and pet food products first in the minds of manufacturers and consumers,” Cullman added.

The move reflects broader efforts by U.S. industry groups to tap into high-growth markets in Asia, where urbanisation, income growth and changing consumer preferences are driving demand for premium pet food and feed solutions.

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