The 2024 Export Advisor Program is accepting registrations. This is a no-cost, year-long service providing custom assistance to help food companies kickstart or improve their export growth, for companies interested in using an export consultant to support market research and strategy development.
To learn more and register, visit www.foodexport.org.
 ExporTech™ is a program designed for emerging and experienced exporters to develop their strategic export plan. Over the course of three full-day sessions, CEOs/presidents and senior leaders in sales, marketing, finance, and operations join with non-competing companies to determine their top three export markets and develop an actionable, strategic plan.
Agricultural companies with products including processed foods, grains, mink pelts, livestock, genetics, and more are encouraged to participate.
ExporTech™ graduates realize between $600,000 and $1,000,000 in average incremental exports growth one year after completing the program.
Interested in participating? Contact Heidi Rabeneck.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports* and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
The International Market Access Grant (IMAG) program provides funding for Wisconsin companies to reimburse export development project expenses up to $10,000, and up to $30,000 for ExporTech™ participants.
For information visit wedc.org/programs/international-market-access-grant/.
The deadline for 2025 is October 31, 2024.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports* and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
 November 10-16, 2024 – Shanghai & Hong Kong*
As China's leading showcase for imported food and drinks, Food and Hospitality China (FHC) offers exhibitors the opportunity to meet buyers from wholesale and retail outlets as well as manufacturers, importers, distributors, and representatives from the hospitality and catering trades in China and across Asia. FHC’s main exhibits include high-end dairy products, tea and coffee, bakery, snacks, confectionary, chocolate, meat and seafood, catering design and decoration products, and supply chain products. It is a USDA-endorsed trade show and an ideal platform for entering or expanding into the Chinese market.
Hong Kong is a dynamic gateway to Asia's lucrative markets that offers excellent access to affluent consumers who crave high-quality, safe, and sustainably produced food—perfect for Wisconsin’s agricultural products. With its streamlined trade policies and top-tier logistics, Hong Kong not only enhances brand visibility but also facilitates smooth business operations, fostering strong trade relationships and providing growth opportunities for Wisconsin food exporters.
Recruitment has ended for this event. For more information, download the flyer or contact Jennifer Lu.
November 18-22, 2024 – Kenya and Tanzania*
Join DATCP on a dairy trade mission to Kenya and Tanzania. Kenya is the largest dairy producer and consumer of all 54 African nations and is the economic, financial, and transport hub for East and Central Africa with promising dairy opportunities.
Network with Kenyan and Tanzanian dairy business prospects and attend on-farm assessments and demonstrations related to genetics, nutrition, and animal health. Participants are responsible for airfare, hotel, and most meals.
Recruitment has ended for this event. For more information, Contact Shirley Acedo.
Funded by US Livestock and Genetics Export (USLGE) and Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*.
 February 17-21, 2025 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates*
Wisconsin processed food companies are invited to exhibit in the Wisconsin Pavilion at Gulfood 2025. With global attendees, Gulfood is the place to meet and connect with food buyers worldwide. Participating companies are required to sign up for Food Export-Midwest Food Show Plus! services. DATCP offers a turnkey, furnished, and shared booth package. Participants are accepted on a first-come basis and are responsible for airfare, hotel, and meals.
We have only one remaining spot for this heavily desired event! Interested in participating? Contact Shirley Acedo.
 March 12-14, 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand*
Held every other year in Bangkok, Thailand, VIV Asia is the largest and most complete feed-to-food event in Asia. Participating companies meet with buyers in feed production, animal farming, breeding, genetics, veterinary and animal health solutions, slaughtering, meat, fish, egg, and dairy processing. DATCP offers a turnkey, furnished, and shared booth package. The deadline to register is December 1, 2024, and registrants will be accepted on a first-come basis. Participants are responsible for airfare, hotel, and meals.
Interested in participating? Contact Jennifer Lu.
 March 17-19, 2025 – London, England, United Kingdom*
The International Food and Drink Event (IFE) is the only food and drink trade exhibition with UK government support, making it the premier event for the UK food & beverage industry for the past 31+ years. Now is the ideal time to position your product in the UK market. IFE London 2025 will serve as a hub for over 23,000 buyers along with visitors from 105 countries for the food, drink, and hospitality supply chain, including those from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda Stores, Iceland, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Aramark, and British Airways.
If you are interested in participating, contact Shirley Acedo.
April 8-10, 2025 – São Paulo, Brazil*
Wisconsin processed food companies are invited to exhibit in the Wisconsin Pavilion at Anuga Select Brazil where entrepreneurs, business owners, and food and beverage industry professionals can meet new suppliers, learn from industry experts, and have in-depth discussions about the industry's latest global trends. Anuga Select Brazil is the most complete showcase of national and international product launches for retail, food service chains, and hospitality.
If you are interested in participating, contact Jacob Leum.
 May 5-8, 2025 – Milan, Italy*
TuttoFood is for the entire agri-food ecosystem. Global and innovative, it is the world reference point for producers and distributors of quality products across the complete food and beverage supply chain, who meet during the exhibition potential buyers such as distributors, importers, proximity stores, gourmet stores, food service, out-of-home professionals, and chefs.
TuttoFood looks to the future and develops innovation in line with consumer trends and market dynamics. It is a business and content platform for the world’s entire food community, where food tradition meets innovation. And it is a national and international point of reference for sector development and the identification, planning, and steering of a food sector relaunch.
For more information, contact Shirley Acedo.
May 5-8, 2025 – Cologne, Germany*
Join DATCP at Interzum Cologne 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for furniture production and interior design. This event hosts over 74,000 visitors from more than 150 countries with industry leader networking opportunities and the chance to explore new markets.
For Wisconsin forestry product suppliers, it's a platform to showcase our state's high-quality hardwood and softwood products, connecting with potential buyers and expanding into the European market. Booth space is free of charge. Participants are responsible for their own travel, hotel and meals. State and federal funding are available for certain product categories. Reserve your spot now and take your business to the next level!
Interested in participating? Contact Jennifer Lu.
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's (FAS) agricultural trade missions help American companies increase their global reach. Upcoming missions include the following:
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Morocco (Casablanca, with buyers from Senegal and Francophone West Africa): December 3 - 6, 2024
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Bangkok, Thailand: February 3 - 6, 2025 (TBC)
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Guatemala City, Guatemala: March 3 - 6, 2025 (TBC)
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Hong Kong: May 12 - 16, 2025
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Lima, Peru: June 2 - 5, 2025
Learn more and register at the USDA FAS website.
  On August 8, 2024, DATCP participated in the annual Ginseng Field Days. The event brought together growers and industry experts to discuss innovations in ginseng cultivation, market opportunities, and sustainable practices. DATCP's presence underscored its commitment to supporting Wisconsin's ginseng industry and fostering collaboration for future growth.
 August 17-21, 2024, DATCP and U.S. Livestock and Genetics Export (USLGE) staff participated in the USDA Agricultural Trade Mission to Bogota, Colombia, led by U.S. Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor. One-on-one meetings with buyers facilitated learning about the growing consumer market, and USLGE hosted seminars and a farm tour in support of Wisconsin's bovine genetics exports. In 2023, U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia reached a record $3.7 billion. Colombia ranks as the seventh-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, while the United States is the top export market for Colombia's agricultural products. Colombia is Wisconsin's 25th largest export market, totaling $17.5 million dollars. A growing number of middle-class households means consumers are increasingly interested in packaged and prepared foods, while substantial regulatory changes in packaging and taxes on products high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats are helping drive demand for healthy foods.
 Five Wisconsin companies exhibited within the Wisconsin Pavilion at the Kenya Food and Beverage Event in Nairobi, Kenya, September 2-5, 2024. Participating companies included Van Holten’s, Hollander Chocolate, Agropur, Croix Valley Foods, and La Crosse Distilling.
The Kenya Food & Beverage show is in its third year and is the largest exhibition serving the food and drink industry in East Africa. By 2026, Kenya's food production is expected to reach $13 billion and its beverage sales are expected to reach $3.5 billion. The hospitality industry is one of the top three revenue earners among Kenya's economic sectors, presenting significant opportunity for Wisconsin products in the market. DATCP staff met with buyers and distributors, participated in a retail tour, and met with staff from the USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service.
 September 15-18, 2024, DATCP participated in Americas Food and Beverage Show in Miami, Florida, hosted by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). Five associations exhibited in the DATCP booth—Wisconsin Beef Council, Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Potatoes—promoting the diversity of Wisconsin agriculture to the Latin American and Caribbean markets and netting 60+ export leads. Wisconsin companies also participated in 23 one-on-one buyer meetings, all creating strong leads for ready-to-order buyers. There were over 10,000 attendees, 700 companies, 900 stands, and 20 international pavilions at the show.
  In September 2023, DATCP completed a trade mission to Algeria coordinated by the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service and the National Association of Animal Breeders/Certified Semen Services (NAAB/CSS). The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE) Export Expansion Grant funded the participation of Dr. Ryan Breuer and Dr. Keith Poulsen from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. This mission was the first of its kind combining relationship building, education and product use training, and government advocacy/diplomacy, and was highly successful in four areas:
- A significant milestone was the approval and signing of the export health certificate for U.S. bovine germplasm (semen and embryos) with the U.S. Ambassador to Algeria and Algeria’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
- DATCP participated in farm and industry visits to build relationships with regulatory agencies and potential buyers. This included conversations with the Centre National de Insemination Artificelle ed de Amelioration Genetique (CNIAAG), the national artificial insemination regulatory agency that is a critical component in quality control and distribution of imported germplasm.
- Training and panels were held on animal health, infectious disease, best practices for genetic selection, and quality control. This included hands-on training on the farm, focused on nutrition, calf health, advanced reproduction techniques, and cow comfort.
- NAAB/CSS returned to Algiers in November to continue negotiations with CNIAAG as their demand for dairy grows.
*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. WIAE was proposed in Gov. Tony Evers' 2021-23 biennial state budget.
For more information on WIAE, sign up for email updates and visit the DATCP website.
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