In this Issue:
Pictured (left to right): Elliott Rader, The GFB Vice President; Marshall Rader, The GFB President; Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director; Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDARD International Marketing Program Manager.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MDARD) has selected The Gluten Free Bar (GFB) of Grand Rapids,
Michigan, as the first recipient of the 2017 Michigan export “Rising Star
Award.” The award was presented by MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams to
company officials.
The company was started in 2010 during an attempt to create
a protein bar that tasted good, maintained its health benefits, and was accessible
to everyone. Ben Wahl of The GFB said, “our mission is to make great tasting
nutritious snacks that everyone can enjoy, and that certainly applies across
borders.”
After creating the perfect bar, they realized that this was
something that other people around the world could use, so exporting was a
logical next step. “We’ve had a lot of help since we started exporting in 2015,
and we’re excited to continue our momentum in the years to come that will
ultimately add more jobs and positively impact our community here in West
Michigan,” Wahl stated. Due to their efforts, the company now operates in
four new markets and has employed several new workers from the local community
in the Grand Rapids area.
The demand for gluten-free goods has been growing around
the world. In the United States, the market for these products has more than
doubled since 2011. Similar trends are being seen in Canada, the United
Kingdom, Italy, and Australia, among other markets.
The award review committee consisted of representatives
from Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith P.C., Van Andel Global Trade Center,
Comerica Bank, Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan State University’s
International Business Center. The decision was based upon several
factors including marketing plans, ability to expand into new markets,
alliances with other organizations, and exports sales growth over the last
three years. To be eligible, the products must be more than 50 percent grown,
processed or manufactured in Michigan.
For
more information, www.michigan.gov/agexport or contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-284-5738.
The annual National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, which took
place May 20-23 at McCormick Place in Chicago, proved even more
eventful than years prior, with more suppliers and buyers attending than ever
before. Thirteen Michigan companies exhibited in the Michigan Pavilion hosted
by the International Marketing Program, including:
 Eastern Market, Mrs. Pruitt’s Cha Cha Salsa, Wolf Moon Mixers, High Five Salts, Detroit Friends Potato Chips, HoneyTree, Safie Specialty Foods, Zeeland Food Services, Michigan Potato Industry Commission, Great Lakes Potato Chips, Michigan Bean Commission, and Herkner Farms.
The show was a huge success, with participating companies reporting an expected $3.85 million in total sales and over 300+ new contacts made during the show.
|
The annual Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants (BAR) Show also took place May 21-22 at McCormick Place in Chicago! With craft beverages on the
rise, this show brought industry professionals from around the world together
for a truly spectacular show. This was the first time that the International
Marketing Program hosted a Michigan Pavilion at the BAR show, which
showcased the following Michigan companies: Bell’s
Brewery, Blake’s Hard Cider Co., Saugatuck Brewing Co., Michigan Brewers Guild
and Craft Distillers Association, and Grand Traverse Distillery.
 During
the NRA and BAR shows, the International Marketing Program also worked in
partnership with Food Export to host Buyers Mission in conjunction with each
show. Eleven international buyers traveled from around the world for the Food
Service Buyers Mission at NRA where five Michigan companies promoted their
products. At the Beer, Wine, and Spirits Buyers Mission at BAR17, five Michigan
companies met with buyers from four different countries to showcase their craft
beverages.
|
As Generations Y and Z become
the dominant consumer groups, new market trends are beginning to appear in the
food industry. One of the major market shifts is in the healthy and natural
products sector, where gluten-free products are growing rapidly and becoming
common place in countries around the world. The view that gluten is unhealthy
is a driving force for this trend, and it will keep the market viable even to
those who do not have an intolerance to gluten.
The U.S. is one of the fastest
growing markets for gluten-free foods, with the total domestic market size
increasing by 129% from 2011 to 2016. Other Western countries have also seen
this upward trend. Countries that have an emphasis on bread and pasta in their
diets, such as Italy, Germany, Australia, and the U.K., have seen large market
growth in gluten-free options, while the gluten-included versions have seen
recent market stagnation or decline in year-on-year growth. While most of the
market growth is reserved to North America and Western Europe, developing areas
are starting to see an increase in the gluten-free and healthy foods markets. By
2016, the gluten-free markets in the Middle East and Africa combined saw an
increase of about 1700% since 2011 with a good portion of the growth being
generated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
While much of the gluten-free
popularity can be attributed to the consumers’ desire for healthier foods, the technological
advancement of gluten-free products has significantly aided to its growth as
well. In the age of mobility, snack and ready-to-eat foods have become more
common place in households. Many consumers who wish to buy healthier versions
of their favorite snack foods opt for these quick gluten-free options. As
demand continues to rise for these goods, it will become increasingly important
for specialty food companies to innovate and supply consumers with quicker,
healthier, and better tasting food varieties around the world.
For more information on
MDARD’s International Marketing Program and assistance in marketing gluten-free
products internationally, visit www.michigan.gov/agexport.
(Sources: Euromonitor, Food
Business News)
 The emergence of the internet and the growing reliance on technology has spurred the growth in demand of foreign products. eCommerce, which are transactions that take place electronically over the internet, has risen to fill the gap in demand for these foreign goods that domestic suppliers cannot meet. China has quickly become the largest and fastest growing eCommerce country in the world, and this trend is expected to continue as the Chinese government continues to support its growth.
|
As the
Chinese middle class grows and incomes continue to rise, consumers are looking
for more luxury products that are hard to find and more expensive when sold by
domestic suppliers. In fact, foreign eCommerce in China has grown 86% since
2015 due primarily to the convenience that shopping online brings to consumers.
According
to a reporting done by the consulting firm McKinsey, U.S. agriculture products such
as milk powder, baby formula, organic foods, and pet food are becoming
increasingly important in the Chinese eCommerce market because consumers see
them as more reliable than domestic goods. Trends also show an increase in
purchases of value-added food and agriculture products, which is good news for
companies looking to enter the market while it is still developing.
To
facilitate the immersion of U.S. businesses into the Chinese eCommerce world, Alibaba
hosted for the first time Gateway ’17 at the Cobo Center in Detroit June 20-21. The conference invited guests to learn about the ins and outs of global eCommerce
and the importance of the Chinese market. With more than 460 million online shoppers
in China, spending more than $750 billion annually, Alibaba is a vital link
between companies and consumers. Alibaba is the world’s largest retail commerce
company connecting nearly half a billion Chinese consumers with products from
around the world. Alibaba founder and keynote speaker Jack Ma presented on his
commitment to promote U.S. business growth in China through eCommerce at
Gateway ’17.
(Sources: McKinsey, Forbes, Euromonitor)
|
 Cherry
Central Cooperative, Inc., located in Traverse City, Michigan, in the 1st
Congressional District, attended the 2016 Michigan Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development (MDARD) China Trade Mission with the help of Food Export
Midwest’s Branded Program. While in China, they met with buyers in multiple cities
throughout the country and learned more about the Chinese market.
Click here to view the rest of the story.
Food Export-Midwest has fostered strong relationships with 19 overseas In-Market Representatives. These Representatives are available to assist your company with finding opportunities in the market, assessing which of your products fit the market, coordinating meetings with buyers, promoting your products, and more! Click here for more information on this invaluable service.
Natural Products Buyers Mission at 2017 Natural Products Expo East
Sept. 13-14 I Baltimore, MD
Early reg. ends July 12
Reg. ends Aug. 2
Michigan Pavilion at Americas Food and Beverage Show
Sept. 25-26 I Miami, FL
Value-Added Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission at the 2017 World Dairy Expo
Oct. 2-5 I Madison, WI
Early reg. ends July 31
Reg. ends August 21
Michigan Specialty Crops Booth at Anuga
Oct. 7-11 I Cologne, Germany
One
space left! For more information or to register, contact Allie Fox VanDriel at foxa1@michigan.gov or 517-284-5737.
Convenience Store Buyers Mission at the 2017 NACS Show
Oct. 17 I Chicago, IL
Early reg. ends August 15
Reg. ends Sept. 7
Focused Trade Mission to Korea on "Evolution of U.S. Foods"
Nov. 9-10 I Seoul, South Korea
Early reg. ends July 12
Reg. ends Aug. 23
Private Label Buyers Mission 2017
Nov. 9 I Philadelphia, PA
Early reg. ends Sept. 7
Reg. ends Sept. 28
Private Label Buyers Mission at the 2017 Private Label Manufacturers Association Show
Nov. 12 I Rosemont, IL
Early reg. ends Sept. 11
Reg. ends Oct. 2
Focused Trade Mission to Dubai
Dec. 3-4 I Dubai, UAE
Early reg. ends Aug. 1
Reg. ends Sept. 12
Focused Trade Mission to Kuwait
Dec. 5-7 I Kuwait
Early reg. ends Aug. 1
Reg. ends Sept. 12
Join Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams for a Food and Agriculture Trade Mission to China.
Location: Hangzhou and Shanghai
Dates: November 6-8, 2017
Expenses:
Participation fee: $1,000.
Companies are responsible for covering their hotels, flights, incidentals, and meal costs.
Included:
Market briefing by USDA in China, retail tours, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with qualified buyers, in-country ground transportation, translation of company information to Chinese.
Registration Deadline: August 23
Registration is limited to 12 Michigan companies!
To learn more or to register, visit www.michigan.gov/ChinaTM.
 Jamie Zmitko-Somers
zmitkoj@michigan.gov
517-284-5738
Allie Fox VanDriel
foxa1@michigan.gov
517-284-5737
|
