Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Low Oxygen Storage and Packaging Systems for U.S. Tree Nuts with Phytosanitary Traceability
This grant supports developing traceable, verifiable low-oxygen storage and packaging systems to meet international phytosanitary requirements and improve export quality of U.S. tree nuts.
Funder: Foreign Agricultural Service
Due Dates: October 26, 2026 (Application submission deadline, 11:59pm EDT)
Funding Amounts: Up to $2,000,000 total; 1 award anticipated; project duration up to 5 years.
Summary: Supports development and validation of low-oxygen storage and packaging systems with phytosanitary traceability for U.S. tree nuts to enhance export market access.
Description
This opportunity, administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, aims to support the development of technically and economically viable, verifiable, and traceable low-oxygen storage and packaging systems for U.S. tree nuts. The goal is to address phytosanitary requirements and market access barriers related to insect pests and pesticide residues in export markets. The funded project will develop and validate new or improved technologies and verification processes (including digital mapping and record-keeping) to ensure low-oxygen conditions are maintained and certifiable throughout the supply chain. The results should enable U.S. exporters to meet or exceed the phytosanitary and quality requirements of key international markets, reducing reliance on expensive or restrictive treatments like fumigation or freezing.
