 Last month, DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski, staff from the Department’s International Agribusiness Center, and representatives from five Wisconsin companies visited the United Kingdom for a weeklong trade mission. They were joined by Tony Rice from the US Dairy Export Council. While in London and Manchester, the group participated in meetings with food buyers and producers, made retail store visits, attended marketing briefings, and met with government officials to build and strengthen business relationships and increase Wisconsin trade opportunities to the UK.
The companies participating in the UK trade mission include Genex, Marathon Ginseng, Masters Gallery Foods, Inc., Sartori Cheese, and Seneca Foods.
 Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) coordinated booth space and a Wisconsin cheese sampling at the Thaifex food show in Bangkok, Thailand in May. Lisa Stout, an economic development consultant with DATCP's International Agribusiness Center, traveled with DFW staff and representatives of MCT Dairies and Orange Cheese.
In addition to sampling cheese, product demonstrations, and a reception featuring Wisconsin cheese, Stout and DFW staff visited supermarkets in the Bangkok area to conduct market research. This initiative was a result of the visit Thai Cochran fellows made to Wisconsin in January 2023.
 The International Fair of Galicia is one of the largest agriculture shows in Europe, and the most important one in Spain. This annual event attracts exhibitors from numerous countries from around the world, especially from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as thousands of attendees from across the globe.
This year's fair ran from June 8 through June 11. Part of the event included "Semana Verde," which focuses on agriculture, forestry, livestock, and more. Luis Santana, an economic development consultant with DATCP's International Agribusiness Center, attended the event with Wisconsin companies and organizations Alta Genetics, Genex, US Brown Swiss Association, Ves-Artex, and World Dairy Expo. Participation in the event was made possible through State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funding.
 From May 30 through June 2, staff from DATCP's International Agribusiness Center hosted a group of eight wood buyers from India, Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand. These buyers visited 10 sawmills around the state and were introduced to Wisconsin's forestry products, grades, approach to quality control, and sustainability efforts. The visiting buyers also participated in a dinner and networking event with additional Wisconsin companies. New North Inc., an economic-development corporation serving 18 counties in northeast Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources collaborated with DATCP for this project.
This mission was funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports* and made possible through State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funding.
 Interzum Cologne is the world's leading trade show for suppliers to the furniture production and interiors industries. As such, it is a must-attend show for American wood suppliers interested in doing businesses in Europe, offering niche opportunities for U.S. suppliers that they can't get elsewhere.
This year, Interzum Cologne took place from May 9 through May 12, attracting 62,000 visitors from 150 countries. Approximately 1,600 exhibitors from 59 countries also attended, with foreign exhibitors accounting for 84% of the total. Both the American Hardwood Export Council and the Softwood Export Council had a pavilion at the show with a record number of U.S. exhibitors attending in hopes of exploring European markets in the wake of reduced exporting to China.
Four Wisconsin wood products companies attended the show, along with Jennifer Lu, economic development consultant with DATCP's International Agribusiness Center: Kretz Lumber, Krueger Lumber Co., Lakeshore Forest Products, and Menominee Tribal Enterprises.
Dates: August 12-19, 2023
Location: Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan/Kohler, Green Bay, and Viroqua/La Crosse
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, along with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, are working together to coordinate a tour for international chefs and food influencers this August. Chefs and food influencers will visit from Algeria, El Salvador, India, Kuwait, Mexico, Paraguay, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The tour group will visit culinary stops in Madison, Milwaukee, the Sheboygan area, Green Bay, and Viroqua/La Crosse. Wisconsin food companies and food/agricultural associations/organizations are being sought to participate in this weeklong tour.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Stout, Economic Development Consultant
Email: lisa.stout@wisconsin.gov
Phone: (608) 514-4538
Staff from DATCP's International Agribusiness Center will lead a trade mission to Expo Prado, one of the biggest agriculture and livestock shows in South America. Expo Prado will be held from September 8 through September 17 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The planned itinerary for Expo Prado includes:
- Sept. 8: Depart the U.S., arrive in Uruguay
- Sept. 9: Market Briefing
- Sept. 10-12: Farm visits, one-to-one meetings with prospective buyers and livestock breed associations
- Sept. 13-15: Attend the Expo Prado Trade and Livestock Show
- Sept. 16-17: Follow-up farm visits and return to the U.S.
Livestock producers and genetics companies interested in expanding their presence and exporting opportunities to this important market are encouraged to join the mission.
For more information, contact:
Luis Santana, Economic Development Consultant
Email: luise.santana@wisconsin.gov
Phone: (608) 640-8075
Date: September 26-28, 2023
Location: Santiago, Chile
Espacio Food & Service is recognized as the most important annual meeting of the food industry in the region and the only USDA-endorsed show in Latin America. Producers, suppliers, distributors, and any company linked to the food sector will have a chance to meet customers, generate new business, and present their trends and innovations in the market.
For more information, contact:
Shirley Acedo, Economic Development Consultant
International Agribusiness Center
(608) 419-4643
shirley.acedo@wisconsin.gov
Date: October 4, 2023
Location: Madison
Join Food Export-Midwest and staff from DATCP's International Agribusiness Center at the world's largest dairy-focused trade show this October! We will be conducting our annual Value-Added Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission at World Dairy Expo.
Participants are given the opportunity to meet with pre-qualified international buyers from Brazil, Chile, China, Mexico, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam to generate new sales leads and build relationships with key industry players. These buyers have expressed specific interest in companies that export value-added feed ingredients.
Register early, as meeting slots are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration cost is $225.
For more information, contact:
Luis Santana, Economic Development Consultant
Email: luise.santana@wisconsin.gov
Phone: (608) 640-8075
Date: October 23-27, 2023
Location: Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea
Spend a week meeting one-on-one with interested buyers in Tokyo and Seoul! There are tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters willing and able to follow the strict Japanese product regulations and keep up with the latest trends in this market. Under the U.S.–Japan Free Trade Agreement (USJTA, effective January 1, 2020) nearly 90% of U.S. food and agricultural imports into Japan are either duty-free or receive preferential tariff access. Despite escalated competition from export-oriented competitors, consumer-oriented American products continue to lead the expansion of the export market in Korea, which reflect Korean consumers’ increased demand for better value, quality and diversity. The Korea-United States Free Trade Agreement, (KORUS), implemented in 2012, coupled with ongoing evolvement of the Korean food market, should generate greater export opportunities for American products in Korea in the coming years.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Stout, Economic Development Consultant
Email: lisa.stout@wisconsin.gov
Phone: (608) 514-4538
Date: January 29-February 2, 2024
Location: Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand
Join DATCP in Thailand for a Wisconsin cheese brand awareness seminar and product showcase, as well as meetings with importers, site visits to retailers and food service providers, and more! The objective for Thailand events include:
- Introducing Wisconsin companies and their products to Thai importers and buyers;
- Generating awareness of artisan Wisconsin cheeses to retail, food service operators, specialty cheese shops, and other retailers;
- Increasing Wisconsin companies' awareness of the Thai market, and opportunities to meet with potential Thai buyers;
- Generating Wisconsin cheese awareness to Thai consumers and trade through online and offline media.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Stout, Economic Development Consultant
Email: lisa.stout@wisconsin.gov
Phone: (608) 514-4538
Date: February 19-23, 2024
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Gulfood is the world’s largest annual food and beverage event. With attendees from across the world, this trade show is the place to meet and connect with food product buyers.
Staff from DATCP's International Agribusiness Center is organizing a Wisconsin pavilion at the event, which will host Wisconsin processed food companies that are new to the show. Companies will be required to sign up for Food Show Plus! services with Food Export-Midwest.
For more information, contact:
Shirley Acedo, Economic Development Consultant
International Agribusiness Center
(608) 419-4643
shirley.acedo@wisconsin.gov
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has a number of planned trade venture opportunities that Wisconsin businesses can participate in. These targeted trade ventures help build the business relationships necessary for increased international sales.
The upcoming trade ventures include:
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Belgium and the Netherlands, Sept. 9-16, with stops in Amsterdam and Brussels
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Poland, Nov. 11-18, 2023, centered in Warsaw
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India, Dec. 2-9, 2023, with stops in Mumbai and Delhi
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Mexico, Jan. 28-Feb. 2, 2024, with stops in Monterrey and Mexico City
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United Arab Emirates, Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2024, centered in Dubai
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China, March 9-16, 2024, with stops in Shanghai and Beijing
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Canada, April 7-12, 2024, with stops in Toronto and Winnipeg
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Germany, April 6-13, 2024, centered in Munich
For more information or to register for an upcoming trade venture, visit the WEDC website.
Each year, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) plans several agricultural trade missions that American companies can participate in to help increase their global reach.
The remaining trade missions in 2023 include:
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Malaysia, Oct. 30-Nov. 3 (announcement/application to open on July 19, 2023)
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Angola, Dec. 4-7 (announcement/application to open on August 23, 2023)
Additionally, USDA FAS recently announced the following Agricultural Trade Missions for calendar year 2024:
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Canada (Calgary, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia) in early April 2024
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Morocco (Casablanca; buyers from Senegal and West Africa) in mid-May 2024
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South Korea (Seoul) in late June/early July 2024
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Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) in late August/early September 2024
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Colombia (Bogota) in mid-to-late October 2024
To learn more about these upcoming trade missions or to apply, visit the USDA FAS website.
Food Export’s 2023 Export Advisor Program is now open and accepting registrations.
The Export Advisor Program is a no-cost, year-long service providing custom assistance to help food companies kick-start or improve their strategy for export growth. This is a great program for any company that is both interested in exporting and could use support from an export consultant for market research and strategy development.
Wayne Batwin will be handling the Advisor Program for Midwest companies in 2023. Companies can learn more and register at foodexport.org.
DATCP, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), invites Wisconsin agribusinesses to apply for International Market Access Grants (IMAG).
Coordinated by WEDC, IMAGs provide funding to support a company’s specific export development and deployment strategy. The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE)* expands WEDC’s existing IMAG program by designating funds solely for agribusinesses. Applicants must be an established agribusiness that is new to exporting or is expanding into new markets; that has been operating in Wisconsin for at least one year; and that manufactures, processes, assembles, or distributes a product that has the potential to be exported.
Companies that have not completed ExporTech™ training can receive IMAG funding up to three times, with a maximum of $10,000 per grant. ExporTech™ graduates can receive IMAG funding up to six times, with a maximum of $25,000 per grant. Matching funds are required at 30% of the grant award. Eligible project expenses include costs associated with trade shows and ventures, marketing, promotions, consulting services, and export education.
The application period for FY24 opened on July 1, 2023 and will close on October 31, 2023.
Application materials can be requested by contacting:
Katie Ujdak, Global Trade & Investment Grants Specialist
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Email: katie.ujdak@wedc.org
Phone: (608) 210-6773
The next Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council (WAXC) meeting is scheduled to be held on September 6, 2023, starting at 9 a.m. The WAXC will also host a series of informational webinars in the coming year.
These webinars are scheduled for:
- August 16, 2023
- November 15, 2023
- December 13, 2023
- January 17, 2024
For more information, visit the DATCP website.
Date: August 30, September 27, and November 1, 2023
ExporTech™ is a program for emerging and experienced exporters to develop their strategic export plan. Over three full-day sessions, the CEO/president and senior leaders in sales/marketing, finance, and operations can join with other non-competing companies to determine your top three export markets and develop an actionable, strategic plan.
Agricultural product companies, from processed foods, grains, and mink pelts to livestock, genetics and more, are encouraged to participate. Funding from the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports* supports the agricultural producers and WEDC supports agricultural processors in this beneficial program.
Companies graduating from ExporTech™ realize between $600,000 and $1,000,000 in average incremental exports growth one year after completing the program.
For more information please contact:
Heidi Rabeneck, Outreach Program Manager
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Email: rabeneckh@uwstout.edu
Phone: (715) 232-5506
One of the Export Expansion Grant projects supported by the WIAE* is a survey of dairy processors to understand the number of, and the barriers facing, dairy product exporters. Please consider participating if you are a dairy processor. If you know of dairy processors who may not be aware of this survey, please share the information below. The following is a message from UW-Madison Associate Professor Dr. Charles (Chuck) Nicholson:
With support of the UW-Madison Dairy Innovation Hub and the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, we are conducting a research study on the current degree of participation by Wisconsin dairy companies in export markets and the most important barriers to entering or expanding presence in dairy export markets. To address these issues, we have developed an online survey with questions about your company's current involvement — or lack thereof — in dairy product export markets and the opportunities and challenges associated with it. Sharing your company’s experience with dairy export markets will provide helpful information to the development of future programs to support expansion of Wisconsin's dairy product exports.
We estimate that this survey should take 10-20 minutes to complete. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be made available or reported to any individual or organization other than the researchers, Dr. Chuck Nicholson, and Dr. Mark Stephenson of UW-Madison. No individual company data will be reported in any form, only aggregated survey results. If you have questions or concerns regarding the survey, we are happy to discuss them.
Thank you for your assistance with this research effort.
Dr. Charles Nicholson
Agricultural & Applied Economics 442 Animal Science Building University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53705
Email: cfnicholson@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 890-0924
Supported by the Dairy Innovation Hub and WIAE.*
*The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE), a collaborative project between DATCP and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), aims to boost the export of dairy, meat, and crop products by promoting Wisconsin agricultural products in the international marketplace. The WIAE was proposed in Gov. Tony Evers 2021-23 biennial state budget.
For more information on the WIAE, sign up for email updates and visit the DATCP website.
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