In This Issue:
In 2017, The Gluten Free Bar, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the 2nd Congressional District, participated in Food Export’s Branded Program. The program helped them increase business with their Canadian distributor and lead to export sales totaling $500,000.
As CEO Marshall Rader explains, “Our work with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Food Export has allowed us to continue our growth in Canada. As an example, in the past 60 days we organized over 100 product tasting events in stores, allowing us to connect with consumers and support our retail partners.” Through MDARD and Food Export Association of the Midwest, The GFB was able to broaden their market and increase exports resulting in 65 percent growth for the year. Their Canadian sales doubled and they were able to expand their team to 45 staff members.
Continue reading about the Gluten Free Bar's export success at: http://bit.ly/2Cbuz1c.
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Applications due by 5:00
p.m., Friday, March 16, 2018
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is pleased to
announce that the nomination period for "Michigan’s Ag Exporter of the Year”
award is now open.
Each
year, MDARD recognizes a leading food or agriculture exporter by presenting it
with the “Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year” award. The award recognizes
outstanding companies for their efforts to increase exports of Michigan
food and agriculture products.
Companies
of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is limited to Michigan food
and agriculture producers, manufacturers, or shippers of good reputation and
good standing in the business community that are aggressively pursuing
international markets and increasing export sales. Products must be more than
50 percent grown, processed, or manufactured in Michigan.
The
winner of the “Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year” award is selected by export
industry representatives based on export growth, innovation, and the pursuit of
new export markets.
The
Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year award was first awarded in 2006. Previous
winners include Bayside Best Beans, Star of the West Milling, Continental
Dairy, Connor Sports, Graceland Fruit, Cherry Central, Zeeland Farm Service,
Walters Gardens, Honee Bear Canning, Cooperative Elevator Company, and Bayside
Best Beans.
Applications
are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018.
For more
information or to submit a nomination, visit http://www.michigan.gov/agexport or
contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-284-5738. Click here to go directly to the Exporting Award page.
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Michigan-based food and agriculture companies that currently export or are preparing to export their products now have access to a new market analysis tool that will provide insights into export opportunities around the world.
In partnership with Euromonitor International, the world’s leading independent provider of strategic market research, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s International Marketing Program has created MIAgExport.com, which provides updated export opportunity analysis reports and a new interactive market tracker. These tools were designed to help companies develop an export strategy by identifying key and emerging export markets, key trends in the trade landscape, historical and forecasted consumption data, and consumer trends in countries around the world.
“MIAgExport.com provides companies with the necessary tools to grow Michigan’s agricultural exports, which supports jobs on and off the farm and strengthens our state’s overall economy,” said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams. “Export intel like this makes it easier for Michigan growers and processors to reach 95 percent of the world’s consumers, who reside outside of the United States.”
Export intel is available for the following Michigan industries and segments: Sweet & Savory Foods, Alcoholic Beverages (beer, hard cider/perry and spirits), Dairy Products, Energy/Breakfast Bars, Apples, Dry Beans, Blueberries, Honey, Tart Cherries, Wine, Potatoes, Pickled Products, Popcorn, and Onions.
The MIAgExport.com web site is available at no charge for Michigan food and agriculture companies.
For more information on exporting food and agriculture products, contact the International Marketing Program at 517-284-5738 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov.
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Situated in the resource rich southwest Pacific, both
Australia and New Zealand boast stable and prosperous economies built on regional
and international trade. Australia’s open trade and investment practices and
business friendly regulations have been essential to its economic growth and
make the market particularly accessible to foreign products. This strong
economy has given the Australian consumer one of the highest levels of per
capita GDP in the world. Meanwhile, neighboring New Zealand is ranked first out
of 189 countries for ease of doing business on the World Bank’s Doing Business
Index thanks to its similar economic policies and fair business practices. New
Zealand is seeing similar food trends as Australia as consumers are looking for
specialty, healthy and natural products. With significant trade and high
incomes, both markets seek new consumer-oriented food and agricultural
products.
U.S. goods have many advantages in the Australian market, thanks to the 2005 Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement and the wealthy
Australian consumers’ taste for high quality and good value American products. In
2016, the country imported approximately $1.3 billion in U.S. agricultural
products, making the U.S. its second largest agricultural supplier. That year, Michigan’s top agricultural exports
to Australia included prepared fruits and vegetables, food preparations, and
dairy products.
The United States is also the second largest agricultural
supplier for New Zealand. In 2015, U.S.
agricultural exports to the country reached over $340 million with dairy and
food preparations as Michigan’s top exports.
Businesses
interested in exporting to the region can gain valuable market insight through
Food Export’s first ever Focused Trade Mission to Australia and New Zealand. The
event will take place September 10-15, 2018, and will make stops in Melbourne and Auckland.
Early Registration Deadline:
May 7, 2018 - $400
Registration Deadline: June 18, 2018 - $600
Companies can register at http://bit.ly/2yJGrCM or
contact the International Marketing Program for more information.
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Join MDARD Director Gordon Wenk on the 3rd Annual Michigan Food & Agriculture Trade Mission to China! Registration information will be available soon at michigan.gov/exportevents.
When: September 17-21, 2018
Where: Beijing & Guangzhou, China
For
questions and more information, contact International Marketing Program Manager
Jamie Zmitko-Somers at zmitkoj@michigan.gov or 517-284-5738.
 MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams is stepping down to take a new position with the USDA, where she will serve as an advisor in the office of the Secretary. Gordon Wenk, currently MDARD’s Chief Deputy Director, will be her replacement, effective March 5.
During Director Clover
Adams’ time at MDARD, she has been a fierce advocate for international trade
and has worked to increase Michigan food and agricultural exports. Thank you Director Clover Adams, you will be missed!
Read the press release at http://bit.ly/2BM9n0L.
Pet Food Ingredient Buyers Mission at the 2018 Pet Food
Forum
April 25 | Kansas City,
MO
Registration ends Mar. 12
Food
Service Buyers Mission at the National Restaurant Association Show 2018
May 19-21 | Chicago, IL
Registration ends Apr. 6
Beer, Wine, & Spirits Buyers Mission at BAR
May 21 | Chicago, IL
Registration ends Apr. 6
Sweets and Snacks Buyers Mission at the 2018 Sweets and
Snacks Expo
May 21-23 | Chicago, IL
Registration ends Apr. 11
Focused Trade Mission to Mexico for Retail, Food Service,
and Private Label Products
July 17-19 | Mexico
City, Mexico
Registration ends Apr. 27
Finding the right
market and buyers for your products is the key to exporting success. Exporters who are looking to sell their products in an international market, find new distributors or importers, and/or receive valuable feedback about their products can take advantage of Food Export-Midwest's Market Builder service. This one-of-a-kind service offers packages specially designed to an exporter's needs and wants. Market Builder has two components:
MarketScan ($450):
- Store Check and Distribution Analysis
- Competitive Product Shopping
- Importation Analysis
- Distributor Referrals
- Target Importer List
RepFinder ($550):
- Distributor Referrals
- Target Importer List
- In-Market Assistance
Market Builder Package ($800): Package includes MarketScan & RepFinder
To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/2zEpXft.
 The International Marketing Program would like to welcome our newest intern, Terrance Beebe! Terrance is a senior at Michigan State University studying Food Industry Management with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. He is also a Michigan native and life-long Detroit Red Wings fan. He will work with the International Marketing team to help connect Michigan based food and agricultural companies with the global market. Welcome, Terrance!
Get in Touch with the International Marketing Program
 Jamie Zmitko-Somers
zmitkoj@michigan.gov
517-284-5738
 Allie Fox VanDriel
foxa1@michigan.gov
517-284-5737
 Yihan Wang
wangy1@michigan.gov
517-284-5740
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