 It’s not too early to start planning for 2014! The 2014 year holds an extensive list of Food Export Association activities, programs, and services to help exporters of Michigan food and agricultural products begin or expand their international sales. They provide educational programs, export promotions, customized export assistance, market entry support, and a cost-share funding program. The 2014 Food Export Activity Calendar includes the dates, locations, and other details about buyers’ missions, seminars, focused trade missions, and more!
Buyers’ Missions: Provide an exclusive opportunity to meet and build relationships with overseas buyers looking to import high-quality Michigan products.
Food Show PLUS!™: Assists U.S. exhibitors at key international tradeshows. This program is designed to offer exhibitor services that focus on maximizing their potential with developing leads and sales from the show.
Focused Trade Mission: Offers an organized trip with services that help navigate a different culture and assist with business meetings. It provides a unique opportunity to travel to a target market not affiliated with a tradeshow.
Seminars/Webinars: Educational seminars on topics ranging from the fundamentals of exporting to strategies on entering new markets.
Branded Program: Provides 50% cost reimbursement for a wide variety of international marketing activities.
MDARD’s International Marketing Program has partnered with the Food Export Association of the Midwest to help Michigan businesses expand their international marketing reach by tapping into federal export assistance.
Download the 2014 Food Export Activity Calendar now to begin planning your activities for next year!
Be sure to save money in your marketing budget by taking advantage of early enrollment in Food Export activities. Early enrollment is a great way to map out a year of exporting opportunities and save money.
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 In September, the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), Jamie Clover-Adams, and the International Marketing Program traveled with Governor Snyder on a ten-day trade mission to China and Japan.
The trip to China began in Shanghai and then proceeded to Beijing after a stop in Tokyo, Japan. During this time the International Marketing Program stopped at a wide variety of places including; U.S.D.A. Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai and Beijing, the Yangshan Free Trade Zone and port, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Agriculture, and U.S. Soybean Export Council. According to Jamie Zmitko-Somers, International Marketing Program Manager, “the Chinese market offers great potential for Michigan food and agriculture companies as the growing middle class in China is looking for safe high quality food products.”
Currently, Michigan exports almost one-third of the crops grown here, with the top five agricultural exports being soybeans, corn, wheat, dairy products, and fresh and processed fruit. The top five countries eager for Michigan-grown products are Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, and China. To learn more about Michigan’s food and agriculture industry watch our new video HERE
The International Marketing Program is pleased to announce Michigan pavilions at the American Food Fair at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show (May 17-20) and the U.S. Food Showcase at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Show (June 11-12) both taking place at McCormick Place in Chicago.
National Restaurant Association Show
Over 40,000 buyers attended the 2013 show with nearly 5,000 buyers coming from more than 100 countries. Michigan companies exhibiting at the 2013 show in the Michigan Pavilion had over 700 contacts or leads as a result of the show. Michigan companies reported actual sales at the show of $50,000 and anticipated domestic sales of over $3 million and export sales of $3 million.
- The cost of booth space is $30.50/sq. ft. a making the cost of a 10 x 10 booth $3,050 in the Michigan pavilion. The registration deadline is Dec. 31, 2013.
- To view a map of the Michigan Pavilion click here.
Food Marketing Institute Show
The FMI Show is the largest retail show of its kind in North America drawing more than 15,000 domestic and international industry leaders from 105 countries. The 2014 show will also be co-located with the United Fresh Show.
- The cost of booth space is $29.00/sq. ft. a making the cost of a 10 x 10 booth $2,900 in the Michigan pavilion. The registration deadline is Dec. 31, 2013.
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To view a map of the Michigan Pavilion, click here.
Companies that qualify for Food Export's Branded Program are eligible to receive a 44% reimbursement of approved exhibit expenses including booth space fees. To find out if you qualify please contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-284-5738 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov.
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The International Marketing Program had the opportunity to host the Taiwanese Agriculture Goodwill Mission who spent their time in Michigan touring local farms, learning about Michigan-grown soybean and corn research, and signing a letter of intent to purchase Michigan grown corn and soybeans. The delegation was very interested in learning about growing practices and technologies used in Michigan.
“I am excited for this new partnership between Michigan and Taiwan,” said Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director. “This provides a great opportunity for our Michigan corn and soybean growers and processors to forge new relationships and expand their export opportunities in the Taiwan market.”
State Senator Joe Hune and MDARD Director Clover Adams attended the Michigan-Taiwan Soybean and Corn Signing Ceremony at the Governor’s Residence in Lansing as witnesses to the bilateral trade commitment between the Michigan Corn Marketing Program and the Taiwan Feed Industry Association, as well as the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association.
To foster this developing relationship, the Taiwan Delegation anticipates the purchase of over $3.3 billion of U.S. soybeans and corn products in 2014 and 2015.
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 Pictured above: Participants in the signing of the letter of intent
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Register and pay for any two 2014 Food Show PLUS! Or Focused Trade Mission activities and receive a free consultation call with a Food Export In-Market Representative of your choice! Obtain valuable and custom insight from a network of 19 In-Market Representatives. Countries and Markets Available: Canada, Caribbean, Central America, China, Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Click here for further information! Registration due by November 29th.
The International Marketing Program has begun contributing to a variety of food, agriculture, and trade related blogs. Check out some of our most recent guest contributions:
U.S.-Korea Connect
Foodie News
GlobalEDGE
Michigan Advantage
Northeast Buyers Mission
January 26 - 31, 2014
Boston, New York, Philadelphia
CLICK HERE
Specialty Foods Buyers Mission at the Winter Fancy Foods Show
January 18-20, 2014
San Francisco, CA
CLICK HERE
Focused Trade Mission to Canada for Retail, Food Service and Specialty Products
February 11-13, 2014
Vancouver, Canada
CLICK HERE
Food Show PLUS! at Int'l Food and Beverage Exhibition (FOODEX)
March 3-7, 2014
Tokyo, Japan
CLICK HERE
Twitter
Follow the International Marketing Program on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MIAgExport for valuable insider information about upcoming events, services, export trends, links, and news.
Facebook
The International Marketing Program is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MiAgExports Visit our page to get updates on upcoming opportunities, view pictures from previous events and connect with others who are interested in the world of exports. We will also use this platform to share program updates.
 As one of the world’s largest importers, Japan is a major market for many U.S. products. In fact, Japan imported $66.8 million of Michigan agricultural products in fiscal year 2012, which makes Japan Michigan’s third largest export market and the 4th largest export market for U.S. goods.
Japan as an export market is expected to grow dramatically as the Trans-Pacific Partnership becomes established. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, “The U.S. Government continues close engagement with the Japanese government to urge the removal of a range of trade barriers. This engagement takes place through several means, including through the United States-Japan Economic Harmonization Initiative.” A simplified trading process would be useful for a number of reasons, because Japanese consumers are regarded as “trend-setters” among the Asian countries.
Japan depends largely on soybean imports of high quality and protein content, 49% of which are used for tofu. Furthermore, the Japanese organic food market is estimated at approximately $1.3 to $1.4 billion as of 2010 with steady growth. In addition, drinking is a big part of Japanese social life; whether they’re going out with friends or for a work event, it is likely that alcohol will be involved. Because of this, American craft beers are making great inroads to the market as the Japanese taste for beer broadens. Finally, products that cater to the Japanese consumer interests in health and convenience are expected to be a hit, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service.
If you are interested in entering or expanding in the Japanese market, the Food Export Association has three excellent opportunities to do so in 2014.
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Food Show PLUS!™ at the Supermarket Tradeshow Japan on February 11 – 14, 2014 Click Here
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Food Show PLUS!™ at FOODEX on March 3 – 7, 2014 Click Here
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Focused Trade Mission to Japan for Specialty and Natural Products on October 27 – 29, 2014 Click Here
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