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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is excited to share its 2025 International Marketing Program activities! Participating in trade shows, buyers mission, and trade missions is a great way to meet international buyers and make connections within the industry. Exhibit in our Michigan pavilions at select U.S. and international trade shows or participate in some of Food Export’s buyers and trade missions! We look forward to 2025 and assisting Michigan companies in export their products.
Food Export’s Branded Program is now open for the 2025 year. They currently have a $50 discount on their application fee for any applications completed before the end of 2024. The Branded Program provides qualified companies with 50 percent reimbursement for expenses related to international marketing activities for agriculture and food exports. Learn more about the Branded Program and apply at: Branded Program.
Trade Shows:
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ANUGA, October 4th-8th (Cologne, Germany)
Buyers Missions:
- Summer in the Cities Buyers Mission, July (TBD)
View additional buyers missions offered by Food Export online.
Trade Missions:
- Focused Trade Mission to Toronto, September 3rd-5th (Toronto, Canada)
View additional trade missions offered by Food Export online.
We encourage Michigan companies to join us at these events as they are a great way to meet international buyers and can play a key role in exporting your product.
For more information on each of these events contact MDARD’s International Marketing team via email at MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov.
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MDARD’s International Marketing Program worked with Food Export to bring international buyers to Grand Rapids in July to meet with Michigan and other Midwest companies. The event brought in buyers representing 16 different markets and 34 suppliers from the Midwest including 22 from Michigan.
We are excited to share some of the results from the Summer in the Cities Buyers Mission! There were $2.27 million in immediate export sales. Anticipated export sales in the next 12 months are estimated to be nearly $8.87 million. The buyers mission created 325 new supplier/buyer introductions resulting in 108 new distributorships and 84 first time sales to a new market.
Many of our Michigan companies found success through this event and other buyers missions resulting in increased export sales, new relationships worldwide, and more! Learn more about what buyers missions and other Food Export events are happening throughout the rest of 2024 and in 2025 on their website.
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MDARD Director Tim Boring awarded Banks Hardwoods the department's 2024 Agriculture Exporter of the Year Award. Banks Hardwoods, founded in 1985, began exporting quality, graded lumber 10 years ago and sources 65 percent of their lumber from Michigan. Since they began exporting, the company has experienced tremendous growth with exports representing a significant part of their sales and generating 14 jobs.
"Michigan forests are diverse and plentiful allowing for quality timber to be used to benefit the hardwoods industry within the state both locally and internationally," said Boring. "The work Banks Hardwoods does to expand their export sales and to increase beneficial international partnerships through their exports and export education is admirable. We are proud to have hardworking companies like this in Michigan to expand upon our international presence in the international hardwoods industry."
Check out the full YouTube video to learn more about Banks Hardwoods and their exports. Read the full press release here: MDARD - PHOTO RELEASE: Banks Hardwoods Earns the 2024 Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year Award.
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Grants
The Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) announced on September 3 it is accepting research grant proposals for the 2025 research program, with a maximum grant award of $40,000. Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, October 11, 2024.
While any research topic will be accepted, the Council has identified the following funding priorities: climate change impacts affecting Michigan’s craft beverage agricultural supply chain; crop quality analysis and new varieties for hops, fruit, barley, grain, or other agricultural inputs used in craft beverage production; sustainable water-use and wastewater/process water discharge projects; increasing use of Michigan agricultural products in craft beverage production and proper quality control and quality assurance methods to maintain or extend the flavor, shelf life, and packaging integrity of craft beverages grown and manufactured in Michigan. A full list of the MCBC’s research priorities and evaluation criteria are available online.
New this year, the Council is also accepting education grant proposals. The timeline is the same for research grant applications, and the maximum award is $4,000. These grants support the dissemination of education within Michigan’s craft beverage industry. Education grant guidelines are available online.
Proposals must be received via email at MDARD-CraftBev@Michigan.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. (EDT) on October 11, 2024.
Interested in applying? To view the application, sponsorship request form, and grant guidelines go online. Additional communications concerning this Request for Proposals should be sent to MDARD-CraftBev@Michigan.gov.
View the full press release online.
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MDARD awarded nearly $340,000 in Underserved Food and Agriculture Business Capacity Building Grants to seven companies across the state. These grants are aimed at providing technical assistance support to build capacity and readiness for underserved food and agriculture businesses in Michigan communities.
These grant funds, allocated in Public Act 119 Section 902, are designed to support underserved food and agriculture businesses with collaborative planning and capacity building initiatives that advance efforts to address local needs including, but not limited to, development of business plans, grant management training, partnership development, and financial investment planning.
The proposals were evaluated through a competitive process. The entities awarded will provide technical assistance for a new round of Value Added, Regional Food Systems and Underserved grants opening in the fall of 2024. For more information about this grant program, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.
View the full press release online.
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Industry News
In May 2024, Cherry Marketing Institute, located in Dewitt, MI attended Food Export-Midwest’s 2023 Food Show PLUS! where they met with a buyer from South Korea. In May, Cherry Marketing Institute made a sale of their tart cherry products worth $10,000. The Michigan company also projects to complete $100,000 more in sales over the next 12 months.
Cherry Marketing Institute represents tart cherry products including fruit snacks, juices, powders, frozen cherries, and bakery fillings since 1972. Cherry Marketing Institute’s mission is to increase the consumption of US grown Montmorency Tart Cherries worldwide. They represent over 300 US tart cherry organizations, helping them bring products to market.
Cherry Marketing Institute has taken part in Food Export programs since 2018 participating in the Food Show PLUS! Showcase at Seoul International Cafe Show, Online Product Catalog, focused trade missions, podcasts, webinars, and the Export Essential Program.
To find out more about Food Export Midwest and their programs, visit their website.
View the full success story online.
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October 19-23, 2024 | Paris, France
Sweets & Snacks Buyers Mission
May 12-13, 2025 | Indianapolis, IN
Sweets & Snacks Expo
May 13-15, 2025 | Indianapolis, IN
Food Service Buyers Mission at NRA Show
May 16-18, 2025 | Chicago, IL
National Restaurant Association Show
May 17-20, 2025 | Chicago, IL
Summer Fancy Food Show
June 29-July 1 | New York City, NY
Focused Trade Mission to Toronto
September 3-5, 2025 | Toronto, Canada
ANUGA
October 4-8, 2025 | Cologne, Germany
Global Produce and Floral Show
October 16-18, 2025 | Anaheim, CA
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