USDA Opens Enrollment Period for Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program 

(Honolulu, July 20, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Pacific Islands Area opened enrollment today for the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program (RTCP) for fiscal year 2026. RTCP helps U.S. farmers and ranchers offset a portion of the cost of transporting agricultural products over long distances. The enrollment period begins July 20 and runs through Sept. 30, 2026. The deadline for producers to provide supporting documentation is Nov. 2, 2026.  

“Transportation costs add up quickly, adversely impacting profitability and overall economic viability for agricultural producers,” said Arthur Keyes, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director for Hawaii and the Pacific Basin. “This crucial program provides financial support that puts Farmers First by keeping producers competitive, especially in remote areas with high transportation costs.”

The Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act of 2026 authorized $3.5 million for RTCP and allows farmers and livestock producers in Alaska, Hawaii and insular areas including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands of the United States, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau, to recover costs to transport agricultural commodities or inputs used to produce an agricultural commodity. 

FSA issued roughly $3.3 million to more than 1,200 producers, in all eligible areas combined, through RTCP in 2025.   

RTCP payments are calculated based on the costs incurred for the transportation of agricultural commodities or inputs during the applicable Fiscal Year, subject to a $8,000 per producer cap per fiscal year. A higher payment cap may be determined if claims for payments do not exceed available funding. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit all eligible receipts. If claims for payments exceed the funds available from the program for a fiscal year, payments will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.  

Farmers and livestock producers interested in participating in RTCP can obtain applications and other documents by calling toll-free 1-866-794-1079.   

More Information

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local FSA office or fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator.