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The International Marketing Program is excited to share that Michigan Food, Agriculture, and Wood Product exports have increased from $2.5 billion in 2021 to $2.7 billion in 2022! The 8% increase in exports beat the record set in 2021.
The top export product in 2022 was processed food products ($470 million). Rounding out the top five products were sugar beet, soybean, soybean residue, brewing waste and animal feed ($335 million), dairy products ($263 million), wood products ($247 million), and meat products ($232 million).
Top export destinations were Canada, Mexico, South Korea, China, and Japan.
"It's clear there is a strong consumer demand for delicious, reliable, and quality Michigan products across the world. At MDARD, we're proud of our commitment to collaborating and partnering with our food and agriculture industry to ensure Michigan products are available worldwide. We’re thrilled to see international tastebuds are seeking out food grown and processed in the Great Lakes State." Said Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDARD’s Agriculture Development Division Director.
Our International Marketing Program is here to help you develop your international and domestic markets. Opportunities include trade shows, buyers/trade missions, market research and more! Events such as the Focused Trade Mission to Toronto for Specialty and Natural Products can help companies by setting them up with one-on-one meetings with interested buyers.
Read the press release here.
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The Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) has announced the recipients of it 2023 research grant program. The 10 selected projects total $350,000 in funding for research and education, advancing agricultural inputs for craft beer, spirits, wine, and hard cider. Six of the proposals selected are continuation projects in good standing.
“Michigan’s craft beverage industry continues to be launching pad for many household brand names found in your local stores,” said Dr. Timothy Boring, Chair of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council and Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This expanding industry is a true success story. Not only for the new businesses taking hold and providing valuable jobs, but it’s also increasing demand for new specialty crops, giving producers more avenues to diversify their crops and build resiliency on their farms. I’m proud that Michigan is a destination for world-class craft beverages while supporting next-level growth for our breweries, distilleries, wineries, and cideries.”
Read the entire press release.
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Economic Development
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On April 20th, 2023, the first in-person collaboration between the Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center, Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) took place as the MSU Making it in Michigan tradeshow. There was a total of 165 companies with Michigan-made products on the tradeshow floor which allowed for many supplier-to-supplier engagements that have great potential for future partnerships. Along with those meetups, there were 190 buyer-supplier meetings that took place with 110 different companies. Making connections amongst buyers and suppliers was an important goal of the tradeshow and many companies believed the tradeshow to be a success and well worth the time spent to make those meaningful connections.
26 buyers attended the buyers meetings including buyers from grocers, retailers, distributors, and institutions.
While there were many companies on the tradeshow floor, there were also multiple panels that were taking place as part of the conference. These included accomplished members of different businesses and companies answering questions about the aspects of getting started with a small business in the food industry. The panels covered a range of topics including co-packing, finances, retail, distribution, and entrepreneurship.
For more information about the Making it in Michigan Event visit here.
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International Marketing
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In June of 2022, Drench Dressings attended the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, hosted by the by the Specialty Food Association (SFA). The SFA provides members with resources, knowledge, and connections to best aid companies in an always evolving marketplace. The Summer Fancy Food Show attracts and connects growers, makers and buyers to help the specialty food industry grow! With MDARD subsidizing a portion of the show cost, many Michigan entrepreneurs are able to exhibit at the show.
Drench Dressings gained numerous opportunities from the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show. They made 50 new relationships with buyers/distributors, including stores like Hy-Vee, Costco, and Fresh Direct! They also recently onboarded with Hy-Vee. Additionally, they had immediate sales totaling $4,000 as well as $150,000 of projected sales over the next year, as a direct result of the show. MDARD is an attributor to this success, Drench Dressing’s founder Karen Binno Akouri said “I am so grateful to MDARD and the Food Export Association for all their support. Their programs and amazing team has allowed Drench to go to the next level by getting us closer to our dream of becoming a recognized national brand. Thank you for giving us access to all the incredible opportunities!”.
Read the whole success story on our website.
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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded 22 Rural Development Fund Grants designed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.
“At MDARD, we are proud to continue to make investments into our rural communities that create more economic opportunities, and good-paying jobs, while expanding our food and agriculture industry,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “These 22 new projects show why Michigan is a competitive powerhouse in the food and agricultural industry.”
Read the entire press release, including all recipients here.
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The International Marketing Program has available booth space at two of our upcoming shows!
- Summer Fancy Food Show: June 25th-27th; New York City
- ANUGA: October 7th-11th, 2023; Cologne, Germany
Contact Holly Henrickson if you are interested in booth space at either of these shows at henricksonh@michigan.gov.
There is still time to sign up for the Food Export Focused Trade Mission to Toronto, Canada for Specialty and Natural Products! This event will take place September 6th and 7th. Early registration closes on May 12th.
Contact Elissa Mutschler if you are interested in attending the Focused Trade Mission at mutschlere@michigan.gov.
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National Restaurant Association Show
May 20-23, 2023 | Chicago, IL *SOLD OUT*
Sweets & Snacks Expo
May 22-25, 2023 | Chicago, IL *SOLD OUT*
Summer Fancy Food Show
June 25-27, 2023 | New York City, New York
*Contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov for details*
Trade Mission to Canada for Specialty and Natural Products
September 6-7, 2023 | Toronto, ON, Canada
*Contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov for details*
ANUGA Food Show
October 7-11, 2023 | Cologne, Germany
*Contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov for details*
Global Produce & Floral Show
October 19-21, 2023 | Anaheim, California *SOLD OUT*
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Agriculture Development Division
MDARD-AgD@Michigan.gov
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