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Please extend a warm welcome to Maddie VanGessel, MDARD International Marketing Intern.
Maddie will support international marketing activities to promote Michigan agricultural products to the world by working with MDARD's International Marketing Program and the Food Export Association of the Midwest. Maddie is a Michigan State University student majoring in marketing with minors in entrepreneurship and Spanish.
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Governor Whitmer recently announced that Michigan food, agriculture, and forest products exports experienced a 19 percent year-over-year growth in 2021. Though business owners and farmers across the nation continued to adapt to global challenges in 2021, Michigan’s food and agriculture sector experienced success despite these challenges. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan’s food and agriculture exports totaled $2.5 billion in 2021.
"Michigan's food and agriculture industry is thriving with 19% annual growth and $2.5 billion in exports. It continues to uplift Michigan’s economy and make a local, national and global impact," said Governor Whitmer. "Michigan’s agriculture industry is critical to expanding economic opportunities and creating more good-paying jobs for Michiganders. We will stay focused on investing in rural economic development, empowering farmers and agriculture businesses, and ensuring that the words ‘Made in Michigan’ are seen around the world."
 "I'm proud that Michigan's food and agriculture production continues to thrive, and our reputation grows worldwide," said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell. "Michigan food and agriculture diverse, high-quality products are well-known known globally. I'm excited as this industry continues to show the world what makes Michigan food and agriculture so special."
Overall, processed food products ($437 million) represented the highest total value of Michigan’s exported food and agriculture products in 2021. This product category alone accounted for a $72 million increase over 2020 export totals. Other top product categories included soybean, sugar beet, and wheat byproducts ($304 million); dairy products ($234 million), wood products ($230 million); and edible meat products ($215 million).
 In 2021, the top international markets for food and agriculture exports from Michigan were Canada ($1.19 billion), Mexico ($292 million), China ($168 million), South Korea ($163 million) and Japan ($146 million). These countries are often at or near the top as export destinations from Michigan.
July 25, 2022 | Grand Rapids, Michigan
The International Marketing Program at MDARD is partnering with the Food Export Association of the Midwest to host the 2022 Midwest Buyers Mission. International buyers will be traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan to meet with Michigan food and agriculture companies in one-on-one meetings.
Position yourself and your products in front of pre-qualified, experienced international buyers who continue to seek the latest food trends and products from the United States.
Meet buyers from the following countries:
BRAZIL
CANADA (2)
COSTA RICA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
EL SALVADOR
JAMAICA |
MEXICO (2)
PERU
SAUDI ARABIA
SINGAPORE
SOUTH KOREA
SPAIN |
TAIWAN
TURKEY
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
VIETNAM |
 Register early as meeting slots are on a first-come, first-served basis. It's the perfect low-cost opportunity to meet with buyers from established and emerging markets in one place.
Early Registration is $325 through May 13, 2022
Registration Deadline: June 10, 2022 - $400
The economic and cultural ties between Canada and the U.S.—particularly Michigan—are deeply rooted. For Michigan, our neighbors hugging the other side of the Great Lakes play an important role in supporting the food, agriculture, and forest products industry as the state's number one export destination. According to the U.S. Census bureau, in 2021, Michigan exported a total of $1.19 billion food, agriculture, and forest products to Canada in 2021.
Top Michigan food, agricultural, and forest products exports to Canada in 2021 include:
- $202.9 million: Food industry residues and waste; prepared animal feed
- $166.7 million: Prepared cereal, flour, starch or milk, bakers wares
- $147.5 million: Cereals
- $126.3 million: Wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal
- $85.9 million: Oil seeds, miscellaneous grain, seed, fruit, plants, etc.
 A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Service Agency found the Canada market to be a consistently favorable market for small- and medium-sized U.S. companies due to:
- Unparalleled regulatory cooperation.
- Comparability and trustworthiness in food safety systems.
- Sophisticated transportation logistics and financial markets.
- Geographic proximity.
- Similar consumer preferences.
- Relatively affluent consumers.
Michigan food and agriculture companies can tap into the Canadian market to reach 38.5 million residents. The Foreign Service Agency report found several key advantages for U.S. exporters:
- Canadian consumers have a relatively high disposable income and are well-positioned to purchase high-quality products.
- Canada's ethnically diverse population provides opportunities for specialty products. Canadians are increasingly demanding diverse flavors and greater access to global cuisines.
- Per-capita produce consumption is relatively high. Retailers and food service operators have developed efficient supply chains to import fruits and vegetables year-round to satisfy their customers.
- Retailers are continually looking for innovative and new brands. Canada’s retail sales network is different from that of the U.S. market.
- Duty-free, tariff-free treatment for more than 98 percent of U.S. products under U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (entered into force July 1, 2020).
- U.S. food products are generally aligned with Canadian tastes and are familiar to Canadian consumers.
However, exporting to Canada is not without its challenges. For example, U.S. exporters face competition from other countries who can offer goods at lower price points. Further, labeling in both English and French is required for retail products, though these costs may qualify to be offset through Food Export Branded Program 50 percent cost-share reimbursement.
The International Marketing Program at MDARD offers resources and opportunities to Michigan food and agriculture companies looking to expand into the Canadian market. There are two upcoming opportunities to meet with buyers from Canada:
The Food Export Association of the Midwest offers a recorded webinar available on-demand about preparing for meetings with foreign buyers. The webinar provides a unique learning opportunity for new-to-export companies and a refresher for experienced companies on how to successfully prepare for meetings with international buyers so you can approach them with confidence.
- Selecting the right buyers and countries for your products
- Resources and tools to help you prepare
- Key information and materials to have with you
- Tips and best practices for on-site meetings
The webinar is free, but you must have an account on the Food Export website to view. To create a new account or login to your existing account to view the webinar, click the link below.
2022 Trade Shows
The MDARD International Marketing Program will host Michigan food and agriculture companies and commodity groups at several domestic and international trade shows in 2022
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National Restaurant Association Show
May 21 – 24, 2022; Chicago, IL
SOLD OUT
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Sweets and Snacks Expo
May 23 – 26, 2022; Chicago, IL
SOLD OUT
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Summer Fancy Food Show
June 12-14, 2022; New York, New York
SOLD OUT
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SIAL Paris
October 15-19, 2022; Paris, France
SOLD OUT
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Global Produce & Floral Show
October 27-29, 2022; Orlando, FL
Contact stubmillera@michigan.gov for more information
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2023 Trade Shows
The MDARD International Marketing Program is looking ahead to trade show opportunities in 2023. Interested in exhibiting in Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California March 2023? Let us know! Contact Liz Smith at smithe62@michigan.gov if you have a special interest in Natural Products Expo West or other 2023 trade show opportunities.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's International Marketing Program is pleased to continue offering Worldwide Credit Reports for Michigan food and agriculture companies. This service will provide the most up-to-date credit information on in-country businesses in partnership with the Van Andel Global Trade Center. Worldwide Credit Reports help companies and partners with operations, stability, and profitability.
Qualifying food and agriculture companies can receive one Worldwide Credit Report free of charge.
Depending on the country, each report will include some or all of the following:
- Executive Summary
- Answers to Questions
- Recent Imperatives
- Legal Information
- History of Related Companies
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- Trade References
- Technical Information
- Bank References
- Financial Conditions
- Payment History
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Reports are developed by in-country representatives and are fully accepted by all major credit insurance firms.
MDARD Pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Show
May 21-24, 2022 | Chicago, IL
Food Service Buyers Mission at the National Restaurant Association Show 2022
May 21-23, 2022 | Chicago, IL
MDARD Pavilion at the Sweets & Snacks Expo
May 24-26, 2022 | Chicago, IL
Sweets and Snacks Buyers Mission at the 2022 Sweets and Snacks Expo
May 23-25, 2022 | Chicago, IL
Midwest Buyers Mission
July 25, 2022 | Grand Rapids, MI
Focused Trade Mission to Toronto
September 7-9, 2022 | Toronto, Canada
SIAL Paris
October 15-19, 2022 | Paris, France
Focused Trade Mission to Korea
October 26-28, 2022 | Seoul, South Korea
The Global Produce and Floral Show
October 27-29, 2022 | Orlando, FL
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