News release
26-38

SBA Announces Grocery Guarantee to Promote Affordability

90% Loan Guarantee Drives Capital to U.S. Food and Logistics Providers, Reduces Biden-era Price Pressures Published on

March 27, 2026

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that small businesses across America’s food supply chain are now eligible for an enhanced “Grocery Guarantee” through the SBA International Trade Loan (ITL) Program. The loans, which come with a 90% federal guarantee, will be available to a broad range of producers in the agriculture and logistics industries, to expand food production and supply – with the aim of reducing grocery costs for consumers.

“Since Day One, President Trump has taken action to expand America’s food production and cut grocery prices for families,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “ Today, the Trump SBA is proud to announce a new Grocery Guarantee that will drive even more investment in our nation’s food supply chain – infusing farmers, ranchers, and logistics providers with expanded access to capital that will increase production, processing, and distribution. By fueling domestic capacity, we will continue to tackle the record-high prices of the Biden Administration – and fill America’s grocery stores with affordable, nutritious, homegrown food.”

The ITL Program unlocks long-term, affordable financing to support American producers – offering borrowers additional flexibility through an increased SBA guarantee of 90% compared to the standard 75% guarantee for the agency’s popular 7(a) Loan Program. The Grocery Guarantee will give local lenders greater confidence to deploy capital into the food supply chain, supporting investments in production capacity, processing, and distribution to increase the supply of domestic food products and lower grocery prices.

On May 1st, small businesses in the following NAICS Groups and National Industry Codes will become eligible for the expanded ITL Loan program:

Oilseed and Grain Farming

Vegetable and Melon Farming

Fruit and Tree Nut Farming

Cattle Ranching and Farming
- 1122- Hog and Pig Farming

Poultry and Egg Production

Sheep and Goat Farming

Aquaculture

Other Animal Production

Fishing

Support Activities for Crop Production

Support Activities for Animal Production

Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
- 4244 – Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers
- 424420 – Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers
- 4245 – Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
- 424910 – Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
- 445110 – Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers
- 484220 –Specialized Freight Trucking, Local
- 484230 –Specialized Freight Trucking, Long Distance
- 493120 – Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
- 493130 – Farm Warehousing and Storage
This action builds on the Trump Administration’s broader commitment to supporting American farmers, ranchers, and producers – and bringing lower prices to American consumers. By reducing barriers to capital and empowering lenders to invest in American agriculture, SBA is ensuring that small businesses remain at the center of our nation’s food security and economic strength. In 2025, the Trump SBA deployed over $7 billion in capital to rural communities out of a total of $45 billion in lending across 85,000 small businesses.

Lenders and small businesses interested in the updated International Trade Loan program can contact SBA’s national team of Finance Managers for more information. SBA’s Finance Managers team not only supports the ITL Program but also serves as the agency’s working capital specialists and can help lenders and borrowers understand how ITL can be paired with SBA’s expanding suite of working capital solutions - including the MARC and Working Capital Pilot.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.