WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2026 — Cotton Council International (CCI) welcomes the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) awarding funding through the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) to support the global promotion of U.S. cotton.

This investment underscores the critical role of U.S. cotton in supporting the American economy and rural communities. Cotton is a cornerstone of U.S. agriculture, contributing billions in economic activity each year and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across farming, ginning, transportation, and manufacturing. U.S. cotton growers are among the most productive and efficient in the world, supplying high-quality fiber that is essential to global textile supply chains.

“We are grateful to USDA and the Foreign Agricultural Service for their continued leadership and commitment to strengthening U.S. agricultural exports,” said Liz Hershfield, Executive Director of CCI. “This funding reflects the importance of U.S. cotton to the broader agricultural economy and reinforces the value of sustained investment in market development.”

Through its global programs, CCI works to expand demand for U.S. cotton and strengthen relationships across the international supply chain—from mills and manufacturers to brands and retailers. These efforts are essential to maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. cotton in a dynamic global market and ensuring long-term value for American cotton farmers.

The AFTPP funding builds on USDA’s longstanding commitment to export promotion and market access, providing critical support to U.S. commodities as they advance U.S. agricultural leadership and expand export opportunities worldwide.

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About COTTON USA™: Cotton Council International (CCI) is the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council (NCC). CCI promotes U.S. cotton fiber, yarn and manufactured cotton products around the globe under our COTTON USA™ brand. With operations in more than 50 countries and nearly 70 years of global trade expertise, our mission is to make U.S. cotton the preferred fiber for mills, manufacturers, brands, retailers and consumers around the world. To learn more, visit: www.cottonusa.org.