For more than thirty years, NCA has advocated for free trade, improved market access, and fair competition. U.S. tariffs on finished chocolate and confectionery products are historically among the lowest in the world. Despite significant tariff barriers in important export markets and high domestic raw material costs due to protective sugar and dairy programs, NCA supports an open U.S. market. Opening new markets for chocolate and confectionery is a priority for NCA as it offers great potential to enhance U.S. economic growth and create new jobs.
NCA members export nearly $2 billion in American-made chocolates and confectionery annually to consumers worldwide, and top export destinations include Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan. U.S. imports of confectionery, chocolate, and cocoa inputs are valued at nearly $4.4 billion and provide a varied selection for U.S. consumers.
NCA and its members are regularly and actively engaged with relevant decision-makers, such as USTR, USDA, members of Congress, and other Administration officials in the evolving trade landscape in the United States. Continued advocacy for protecting critical inputs to confectionery – specifically, cocoa and sugar – is in place to ensure that U.S. manufacturers can compete on a level playing field and actively engage in international markets.
NCA manages USDA’s Market Access Program for the U.S. confectionery industry, which helps American companies export products to foreign markets. Since U.S. confectionery contains commodities grown and produced in the United States, NCA is fortunate to cooperate in the program, representing these U.S. confectionery manufacturers. The MAP program reimburses up to 50 percent of qualifying marketing and promotional expenses, including advertising, sample shipments, public relations, seminars, certain publication expenditures, and many trade show-related expenses. Marketing assistance funds are available to the confectionery industry each year.
NCA continues to advance cross-border trade opportunities and works to minimize risks at national borders for its members worldwide.
How Can You Get Involved?
- If U.S. trade policy is hurting your business, reach out to NCA to tell your story.
- Contact NCA to learn more about trade issues impacting the confectionery industry.
- Update your contact information so that NCA can reach you with the most up-to-date information.
