In this Issue:
Is your company interested in entering new export markets or expanding existing markets in 2017? If so, it is essential to first establish a cohesive export plan to ensure your company's success in developing business with other countries.
Not sure where to start? The International Marketing Program can help!
Staff is available to meet one-on-one with Michigan food and agriculture companies to assist in developing a viable export strategy for 2017 and beyond. The International Marketing Program can also help companies:
- evaluate foreign market entry
methods
- understand regulatory requirements
- find qualified buyers
- navigate
logistics
- obtain export documentation
- secure financial assistance
- connect with export service providers
- and much more!
To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/agexport or contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-284-5738 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov, or Allie Fox VanDriel at 517-284-5737 or foxa1@michigan.gov.
By Jade Sims,
International Trade Specialist at the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan
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In 2016, more than 15,000 Michigan
exporters were able to:
- Grow their customer
base and diversify risk
- Lower costs by
achieving market efficiencies
- Interchange new
ideas, technologies, and platforms, learning globally from the “best of the
best”
- Take advantage of
the main source of U.S. economic growth
- Better compensate
employees with higher wages[1]
How did they do it? Through selling to clients outside of the
United States! All of these advantages
have been cited by exporters as part of their export sales. Are you interested yet?
Knowing where and how to start
is the largest roadblock cited by most potential exporters.[2] Luckily, there are many resources available
for any company interested in pursuing international markets. Getting connected to the right resources is
key—whether it’s government and industry experts (like those available through
MDARD’s International Marketing Program) or fellow farmers and processors who are already successfully sending products to places like Canada, Mexico, South
America or China. Talking to the right
people will help you find the best opportunities and be aware of the potential
risks as you move forward.
A great resource to find this
assistance in the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan, found online at https://GBClub.msu.edu. Based out of the
International Business Center in the Broad College of Business at Michigan
State University, the GBClub meets every month to discuss topics such as opportunities in different regions of the world and exporting specifics such as
organizing your logistics and getting paid.
Joining is as simple as going online to register for an upcoming event
and meeting with us in the Lansing area for one of our luncheon programs or
networking happy hours. On February 16,
we will be discussing due diligence—how to vet your customer to make sure
they’re a good “match” for your company, and how to guarantee that you’ll get
paid for the sale! In addition, the
event will offer the opportunity to meet with seasoned exporters and ask your
questions about getting started (or taking your exporting to the next
level). We look forward to meeting you!
[1] U.S. Chamber of Commerce
[2]
Forum for International Expansion
 Ethel’s Edibles LLC
is located in the 9th Congressional District of Michigan. In August of 2016
they participated in their first Food Export Midwest and International
Marketing Program export event, the 2016 Midwest Buyers Mission. As a result of
their participation in the buyer’s mission, Jill Bommarito, the President of
Ethel’s Edibles, explained that the company “made contact and had meetings with
interested buyers from Canada, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago.”
The company is excited about the possibilities for growth awaiting in these
markets. The buyer’s mission also provided an opportunity for Ethel’s Edibles
to interact with buyers who were not on their schedule. Jill was able to
introduce herself and the company to a buyer from Australia, who was not on
their original schedule. This interaction resulted in exchanged information and
a potential future lead for the company.
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"Jill stated that the company is excited to be starting on this journey." |
One of the most valued aspects of the Midwest Buyers Mission for Ethel’s Edibles, according to
Jill, was that they “were able to talk to other companies who have been down this path…to get
input on how this works and what it has done for their bottom line as well
as diversifying their income stream.” The Midwest Buyers Mission gave
Ethel’s Edibles the opportunity to engage with international buyers as
well as learn from other experienced companies. This event has helped
Ethel’s Edibles begin their exporting and Jill stated that the company is
excited to be “starting on this journey.”
To learn more about Ethel's Edible's export success, click here.
By Mark Meyer,
Communications Manager at Michigan State University's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
(Pictured: Tim Slawinski, Emerging Issues Specialist for MDARD, presenting to students of the Global Food Law Program)
Whether
you’re an importer of food products or a Michigan agricultural producer looking
to export your product, you are held to the rules and regulations of multiple international
agencies. You may already have
interacted with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and
Inspection Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministers
of Agriculture and Health, or the Codex Alimentarius. Understanding the various
food regulations and laws is often complex and requires a special skill set.
The
Michigan State University College of Law’s Global Food Law Program – the first
and only to offer a master’s degree in global food law – is designed to educate
anyone who would like to better understand the complexities of food law and
regulation.
And
it’s not just for lawyers.
The program's graduates are leaders in their organizations. They are the go-to resources for
legal and regulatory advice in the United States and around the world, at
companies such as Barilla, Country Fresh, Kellogg’s, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Sara
Lee Foods. Their diverse educational backgrounds have instilled a common desire
to embrace food industry challenges related to laws and regulations. Hence, the
program offers two tracks: a Master of Laws for practicing lawyers and a Master
of Jurisprudence for those without law degrees.
Many
of the students began their careers as scientists, nutritionists, researchers,
and upper level managers, and hold degrees in food science, food safety,
nutrition and microbiology – to name a few. The Global Food Law Program
and the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations (IFLR), which are both completely
online, allow students to maintain a work-life balance without putting their
careers on hold.
Taking
an online degree program is a very different experience from being physically
present on a university campus. Convenience and flexibility replace the typical
face-to-face learning experience. Students can take classes in their office or on their couch, at noon or at 3 a.m.
Discussions
and communications take place via e-mail and internet exchanges. Students in
the online Global Food Law program are encouraged to join the group Facebook
page and to otherwise get to know other students, faculty, and staff.
After
enrolling in the program, students work with advisors each semester to enroll
in an online course (or courses), choosing from a menu of available options
provided by the MSU College of Law and IFLR. Students selecting courses made
available by the Institute will enroll in those courses through the College of
Law.
The courses are taught by expert MSU faculty and practitioners and include
offerings in Animal Health, World Trade and Food Safety; Codex Alimentarius:
The World Food Code; Food Regulation in the U.S.; Introduction to Halal Food; and
International Commercial Arbitration.
About the MSU Global
Food Law program: Attorneys and those
with a J.D. from an American institution enroll in the Master of Laws (LL.M.)
program. Those without a prior law degree, such as food industry professionals,
enroll in the Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) program. LL.M. and M.J. students
study together, making for lively multidisciplinary discussion. Students
complete the program in about three years if they take one course per semester
and study year-round. The program is entirely online so students need not take
a leave of absence from work or relocate to pursue their master’s degree. Learn
more at http://globalfood.law.msu.edu/.
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The International Marketing Program is offering a new trade
show opportunity for Michigan companies to exhibit at in 2017. A Michigan Pavilion will make its debut at
the 2017 United FreshMKT Expo, June 14-15, 2017. The show, formerly known as United Fresh, now
focuses not only on fresh fruits and vegetables but also will highlight
prepared meal solutions, convenient snack items, fresh juices, salsas, soups,
dips and much more. The expo attracts
buyers from a number of segments including retail, food service, wholesale, and
new channel buyers. For additional
information about the expo and to learn more about the attendees, visit, www.unitedfreshshow.org/trade-show.
Cost for booth space in the Michigan pavilion, along with booth amenities, is currently being finalized. For additional information and to reserve a
space, contact International Marketing Program Manager Jamie Zmitko-Somers at zmitkoj@michigan.gov or
517-284-5738.
 CLICK HERE to learn more.
Application deadline is 5:00 PM on March 17, 2017.
Natural Products Buyers Mission at Natural Products Expo West 2017
March 9-10 | Anaheim, CA
Registration closes Jan. 27
Focused Trade Mission to Mexico for Retail and Food Service Products
June 6-9 | Mexico City & Monterrey, Mexico
Registration closes Jan. 31
Focused Trade Mission to
Taiwan for Retail and Food Service Products
March 11-12 | Taipei, Taiwan
Registration closes Feb. 16
Frozen Food Buyers Mission at AFFI Con 2017
March 4-5 | San Diego, CA
Registration closes Jan. 27
The International Marketing
Program has partnered with Euromonitor International to develop
export opportunity analysis reports for 14 Michigan food & agriculture
industries.
Michigan food & ag companies can access the reports for FREE at www.miagexport.com.
 Jamie Zmitko-Somers
zmitkoj@michigan.gov
517-284-5738
Allie Fox VanDriel
foxa1@michigan.gov
517-284-5737
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