Specialty CROP Act of 2026

This bill would expand annual reporting requirements for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program to include detailed information on foreign trade barriers and policies that impact the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop exports. The Department of Agriculture would be required to consult with the United States Trade Representative and seek public comment before submitting these reports to Congress. While the reports must be made available to the public in an unclassified format, the bill allows for the inclusion of a classified annex if necessary.

This bill affects the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which must coordinate on expanded reporting and public consultation regarding specialty crop trade barriers. U.S. exporters of specialty crops are affected by the new requirements to identify foreign trade distortions, while the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables and the general public are invited to provide comments during the report's preparation.

• Expansion of specialty crop export reporting. Requires the Department of Agriculture to include specific information regarding the competitiveness of United States specialty crop exports within the annual reporting for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program.
• Identification of foreign trade barriers. Directs the Department of Agriculture to report on specific acts, policies, and practices of foreign countries that create significant barriers to or distortions of U.S. specialty crop exports.
• Interagency and public consultation requirements. Mandates that the Department of Agriculture consult with the Office of the United States Trade Representative and seek input from the public and the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables before finalizing the report.
• Public disclosure and reporting format. Specifies that the report must be submitted to Congress in an unclassified form and made available to the public, though it may include a classified annex if necessary.

This bill expands the annual reporting requirements for the existing Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program. It modifies current mandates for the Department of Agriculture's annual report on U.S. specialty crop trade issues to include specific information on foreign trade barriers and distortions.

The bill aims to enhance the competitiveness of United States specialty crop exports by expanding federal reporting requirements to identify and address foreign trade barriers. It requires the Department of Agriculture to consult with trade officials and the public to document foreign policies or practices that distort or obstruct the international trade of U.S. specialty crops.