In This Issue:
Michigan’s food processing and agricultural workers are encouraged to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination appointment as eligibility expands to Michiganders working in the food and agriculture sector.
“Throughout the pandemic, Michigan’s food and agriculture workers have been the backbone of our food supply chain and our rural economy,” said Gary McDowell, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am pleased Michigan food and agricultural workers are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine because getting the vaccine is essential for their health and safety, the safety of their communities, and the stability of our food supply chain in Michigan.”
Those frontline essential workers who are eligible to receive the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as of March 1 includes food processing workers such as employees at meat processing and meatpacking facilities; workers who process fruit and vegetables; dairy processing; animal feed manufacturing; food and animal feed ingredient manufacturing; beverage production; and the production of food packaging.
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Canada remains a top market for Michigan agriculture exporters. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2020, Michigan food and agriculture businesses exported $972 million dollars worth of products to Canada. This kept Canada as Michigan's #1 export market, with a growth of almost 20% over 2019 exports.
With the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) coming into force July 1, 2020, 99% of tariffs on both sides were eliminated and bilateral trade was boosted by about 20%. There are advantages to exporting food products to Canada, such as consumers having a high level of U.S. brand awareness, similar consumption and shopping patterns, and a strong demand for natural, organic, and specialty food products. There are also challenges to entering the Canadian market, such as the bilingual labeling requirements, a difference in nutritional labeling and package sizing, and working with a broker.
To learn more about the Canadian market, meet one-on-one with qualified buyers, and immerse yourself in a local market retail tour, join Food Export's Focused Trade Mission to Toronto for Specialty and Natural Products. There are countless educational opportunities provided on the mission in addition to those listed above. Sign up today to secure your spot!
Deadlines
Early Registration Deadline: April 28, 2021 - $400
Registration Deadline: June 9, 2021 - $600
Click here to learn more or to register
*A Food Export Account is required to participate in the mission
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is now accepting applications for its annual “Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year” award. Each year, MDARD recognizes a leading food or agriculture exporter for its efforts to increase exports of Michigan food and agriculture products. Applicants may also be considered for the “Rising Star” award, which is reserved for new companies or companies new to exporting.
Companies of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is limited to Michigan food and agriculture producers, manufacturers, or shippers 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 award is selected by international trade industry representatives based on export growth, innovation, and the pursuit of new export markets.
The award was first awarded in 2006. Previous winners include Kamps Hardwoods, Sklarczyk Seed Farm, Dr. John’s Candies, 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 Michigan Apple Committee.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021.
For more information, and an application, visit https://bit.ly/3bygHxr or contact Donna LaCourt at 517-614-5518.
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We have a few spots remaining at each of our trade shows in 2021! Click on the link below to learn more and register for each event!
Sweets and Snacks Expo
June 22-25, 2021 | Indianapolis, IN
Fancy Food Show
Sept 27-29, 2021 | New York, NY
ANUGA
October 9-13, 2021 | Cologne, Germany
Expo ANTAD
October 18-20, 2021 | Guadalajara, Mexico
PMA Fresh Summit
October 28-29, 2021 | New Orleans, LA
by Food Export
In November 2019, the Cherry Marketing Institute, located in Dewitt, Michigan, in the 4th Congressional District, attended Food Export – Midwest’s 2019 Focused Trade Mission to South Korea for New Lifestyle U.S. Food Products where they had one-on-one meetings with a variety of prospective South Korean buyers and partners.
Through the first four months of 2020, one of the Cherry Marketing Institute’s processors made sales of tart cherry products worth $2.2 million dollars.
According to Julie Gordon, President of the Cherry Marketing Institute, “This is a huge win for our industry. The importer has already signed multiple purchase orders for future sales. We are very excited about this lead that we were able to get as a direct result of our participation with this trade mission. Thank you for all of the effort Food Export put into making this program a success.”
The Cherry Marketing Institute is a non-profit tasked with increasing demand for U.S. Montmorency tart cherries, the most common variety of tart cherry grown in the U.S. Montmorency tart cherries are a homegrown superfruit, cultivated on generations-old family orchards, that bring unique taste and nutrition benefits to a range of food and beverage products.
Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.
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Making It in Michigan - Session 1
April 27-29, 2021 | Virtual
Making It in Michigan - Session 2
May 4-6, 2021 | Virtual
Sweets and Snacks Expo
June 22-25, 2021 | Indianapolis, IN
Buyers Mission at the Sweets & Snacks Expo
June 21-25, 2021 | Indianapolis, IN
Focused Trade Mission to Toronto for Specialty and Natural Products
Sept 1-2, 2021 | Toronto, Canada
Fancy Food Show
Sept 27-29, 2021 | New York, NY
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