The FRIDGE Act of 2025 would add a new technical assistance program under the Agricultural Trade Act to help improve critical infrastructure in foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities. The focus is on cold-chain capacity and port improvements, with the goal of reducing spoilage and losses that shrink export opportunities.
The bill authorizes funding to support needs assessments, training, and other technical services delivered through contracts with eligible trade organizations.
From 2026 through 2030, Congress would appropriate $1 million per fiscal year for these purposes, with the understanding that any unused funds remain available to support the program established under this subsection. The overarching aim is to create more resilient supply chains abroad, thereby expanding markets for U.S. agriculture and improving global food security and nutrition.
At a Glance
What It Does
The act adds a new program within the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 that authorizes the Secretary to contract with eligible trade organizations to conduct needs assessments, provide training, and deliver other technical assistance to strengthen infrastructure in developing foreign markets, including cold chain capacity and port improvements.
Who It Affects
U.S. agricultural exporters seeking new markets, eligible trade organizations that administer the assistance, and the foreign markets receiving infrastructure improvements.
Why It Matters
Strengthening global supply chains can reduce spoilage, unlock new export opportunities for U.S. producers, and contribute to global food security and nutrition in developing economies.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill creates a dedicated technical assistance program to improve infrastructure in foreign markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. It targets cold-chain capacity and port improvements to prevent product loss and spoilage during transport, which should help U.S. exporters reach new buyers more reliably.
The Secretary would be authorized to enter into contracts with eligible trade organizations to perform needs assessments, training, and related support in these foreign markets.
Funding for the program would be set at $1 million per fiscal year from 2026 through 2030, with provisions allowing unused funds to be redirected to support the program. This structure emphasizes capacity-building in partner markets and aims to create more stable, resilient export pathways for U.S. agriculture.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill adds a new subsection (4) to Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to authorize technical assistance for foreign market infrastructure.
The bill authorizes $1,000,000 in appropriations for each fiscal year 2026–2030 to carry out the new subsection.
The Secretary must enter into contracts or agreements with eligible trade organizations to provide needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance for infrastructure improvements.
Unspent funds under this subparagraph may be made available to carry out the broader program established under this subsection.
The scope of infrastructure includes cold chain capacity and port improvements to prevent damage or loss of U.S. agricultural commodities in developing markets.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Short Title
This section designates the act as the Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports Act of 2025, or the FRIDGE Act of 2025.
Findings
Congress identifies barriers to expanding export markets for U.S. agricultural products, notably inadequate infrastructure and cold-chain capabilities in developing countries. It argues for dedicated resources to upgrade supply chains, reduce food loss, and improve nutrition as a component of trade policy.
Technical Assistance to Improve Infrastructure in Foreign Markets for United States Agricultural Commodities
This section adds a new paragraph to the applicable subsection of the Agricultural Trade Act (203(c)). It authorizes the Secretary to contract with eligible trade organizations to provide needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance to enhance foreign-market infrastructure, including cold-chain capacity, port improvements, and related developments. It also creates a funding stream of $1,000,000 per year (FY2026–FY2030) and outlines rules on the use and availability of those funds to support the program.
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Explore Trade in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- U.S. agricultural exporters seeking to access developing markets, who gain more predictable logistics and reduced spoilage risks.
- Eligible trade organizations that administer and implement the assistance, potentially expanding their mandate and funding sources.
- Domestic farmers and ranchers who may gain expanded market access and price stability from reduced losses and larger export volumes.
- Foreign port authorities and logistics providers in developing markets that see upgrades in infrastructure and capacity.
- Global consumers benefiting from improved food availability and nutrition due to stronger, less wasteful supply chains.
Who Bears the Cost
- U.S. taxpayers funding annual appropriations to support the program.
- The Department of Agriculture and related federal agencies administering and overseeing the program, including compliance and reporting costs.
- Eligible trade organizations that must manage contracts and ensure program deliverables.
- Potential upfront investments or co-investments by foreign partners or host governments for port and cold-chain upgrades (indirect costs).
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is whether a centralized federal funding approach for foreign infrastructure upgrades can reliably yield proportional increases in U.S. agricultural exports, given market heterogeneity and the long timelines for capital-intensive projects.
The FRIDGE Act relies on a relatively modest annual appropriation to catalyze improvements in foreign market infrastructure, a set of activities historically challenging to scale across diverse markets. Key tensions include ensuring that funds reach the most impactful projects, avoiding duplication with existing trade and development programs, and establishing reliable metrics to evaluate whether infrastructure gains translate into higher U.S. exports.
Oversight and coordination with partner countries will be critical to prevent misallocation and to sustain improvements beyond grant cycles.
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