Salem, Oregon – Oregon’s hazelnut growers and seafood producers are getting a $34 million boost from Washington at a time when rising costs and uncertain markets are putting pressure on two of the state’s important industries.
The federal decision follows a coordinated push by Oregon lawmakers and could bring much-needed relief to farming communities in the Willamette Valley and fishing businesses along the coast. For an industry responsible for 99 percent of America’s hazelnut production, the announcement carries particular significance.
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has agreed to purchase $22 million worth of hazelnuts and $12 million in Pacific whiting fillets through its Section 32 purchase program.
The purchases are part of a broader USDA initiative announced October 29 to support American producers and strengthen the domestic food supply.
Merkley led the effort alongside Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum.
The lawmakers had previously urged federal officials to include both products in the purchasing program, pointing to the economic challenges facing Oregon’s agricultural and seafood businesses.
“Our fisheries and farms deliver incredible products all around the world and are the lifeblood of our communities,” Merkley said.
He welcomed the decision, saying the purchases would provide critical financial support for harvesters, processors and producers seeking to maintain operations.
The federal commitment is especially important for Oregon’s hazelnut industry. Despite its dominant position in domestic production, growers face financial pressures tied to increasing expenses and unpredictable markets.
Salinas emphasized the importance of protecting agricultural livelihoods in the Willamette Valley, where families have depended on hazelnut farming for generations.
Meanwhile, the $12 million purchase of Pacific whiting is intended to support the seafood industry, including those who catch, process and distribute the fish.
Wyden credited the delegation’s sustained efforts for securing the decision.
“I’m glad the full-court press from the delegation has unlocked this win for Oregonians fishing Pacific whiting and growing hazelnuts,” he said.
Dexter also highlighted the broader economic impact, noting that the investment would help sustain local employment while providing food to families who need it.
The USDA’s Section 32 program allows federal purchases of agricultural products to help stabilize markets and support domestic producers during periods of disruption.
For Oregon, the announcement represents more than an additional market for hazelnuts and seafood. It provides federal purchasing support for businesses whose operations help sustain rural and coastal communities.
Lawmakers say the investment will help keep money circulating through Oregon’s economy while strengthening the connection between local food production and American consumers.
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