Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Payments on the Way

USDA recently announced a second round of Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) payments. Late last week, the White House and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service confirmed they had successfully processed MASC payments totaling more than $981 million to 43,646 participants. With this, eligible producers should expect to receive deposits starting this week.

MASC is designed to help specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to:
• Perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops, and herbs
• Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control
• Packaging to prevent damage
• Moving perishables to market quickly
• Higher labor costs

North American Blueberry Council (NABC) President Kasey Cronquist issued the following statement in response: “We thank Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration for standing with America’s farmers and recognizing the importance of supporting our U.S. blueberry growers. These funds will provide a vital lifeline to the family farms that produce safe, nutritious blueberries for American families and consumers around the world.

“NABC has been a strong advocate for the release of these payments, and we’re thrilled to see the previously promised levels not only met – but exceeded.”

First announced in December 2024, MASC authorized $2 billion in Commodity Credit Corp. funds to assist specialty crop growers with rising input costs and aid in the expansion of domestic markets. In January 2025, in response to stakeholder feedback and program demand, funding for MASC was increased to $2.65 billion.