 The International Market Access Grant (IMAG) is reopening for 2025 applications February 1, 2025, through March 15, 2025.
The 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/. Access the IMAG Application Checklist for 2025 and the IMAG Information Packet for 2025.
*Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
The next Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council (WAXC) webinar is Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. CST. Topics include the following:
- Wisconsin Export Highlights Q3 YTD 2024
- Tri-National Accord Meeting Recap
- USDA Export Credit Program
- DATCP and WEDC Upcoming Activities
WAXC helps guide the initiatives funded by the *Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE). Members include international trade experts from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corportation (WEDC) and DATCP, state legislators, agricultural organizations, and agribusinesses representing crop, dairy, and meat products. This meeting is open to the public to attend via this Zoom link.
 The 2024 Export Advisor Program is accepting registrations for a no-cost, year-long service providing custom assistance to help food companies kickstart or improve export growth. An export consultant will support market research and company strategy development.
To learn more and register, visit www.foodexport.org.
 ExporTech™ is designed for emerging and experienced exporters to develop their strategic export plan. Over the course of three full-days, CEOs/presidents and senior leaders in sales, marketing, finance, and operations join 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 WEDC.
 Logos are hyperlinked; click on an event logo to learn more.
February 17-21, 2025 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates*
Wisconsin processed food companies are invited to exhibit in the Wisconsin Pavilion at Gulfood 2025. Participating companies are required to sign up for services at Food Export-Midwest Food Show Plus! 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 one remaining spot for this event! To participate, contact Shirley Acedo.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
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 February 23-28, 2025 – Guadalajara and Mexico City, Mexico
Participants will receive customized market intelligence and product/service offerings. One-on-one meetings will be arranged based on specific company needs.
The deadline has passed for this event. Contact Jacob Leum or click here to learn more.
March 4-5, 2025 – Anaheim, California
Food Export-Midwest in partnership with the Organic Trade Association will be conducting a Natural Products Buyers Mission at the 2025 Natural Products Expo West. With a heavy focus on natural, healthy, and specialty products, this show attracts global natural, organic, and healthy lifestyle buyers.
Meeting slots are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Early Bird Registration closes January 10, 2025.
Learn more and sign up or contact Jacob Leum.
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March 12-14, 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand*
Held every other year, 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, slaughtering, meat, fish, egg, and dairy processing. DATCP offers a turnkey, furnished, and shared booth package. Participants are responsible for airfare, hotel, and meals.
The deadline to register has passed. Contact Jennifer Lu or Jacob Leum if you would like to learn more.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
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 March 17-19, 2025 – London, England, United Kingdom*
International Food and Drink Event (IFE) London 2025 will bring over 23,000 buyers and visitors from 105 countries for the food, drink, and hospitality supply chain, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda Stores, Iceland, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Aramark, and British Airways. Participants are accepted on a first-come basis and are responsible for airfare, hotel, and meals.
To participate, contact Shirley Acedo.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
 March 21-29, 2025 – Shanghai and Shenzhen, China
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is offering a significantly subsidized rate of only $2,500 for participants from Wisconsin exporters of goods or services to join this trade mission to China (almost a tenth of the full cost). The program cost includes customized market research and assessments, hotel accommodations, interpreters and more. Airfare and most meals are not included.
China has the world’s largest consumer market. Wisconsin cheese, cranberries, and ginseng are familiar and well-liked by Chinese consumers, providing a strong foundation for growth.
The registration deadline for this trade mission has passed. To learn more, visit the website or contact Jennifer Lu.
 April 6-11, 2025 – Seoul, South Korea
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers is leading a multi-sector trade mission to assist small to medium-sized companies interested in exporting products and services to South Korea. Participants will receive a customized schedule of meetings with prospective customers and business partners. The deadline to sign up is January 22, 2025.
Access the trade mission flyer and visit the website for information on costs and itinerary.
April 8-10, 2025 – São Paulo, Brazil*
Wisconsin processed food companies are invited to exhibit in the Wisconsin Pavilion at Anuga Select Brazil, a showcase of national and international product launches for retail, food service chains, and hospitality. Participants are accepted on a first-come basis and are responsible for airfare, hotel, and meals.
To participate, contact Jacob Leum.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
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 April 8-11, 2025 – Singapore
Join DATCP at Asia’s leading international food and beverage event where 1,700 exhibitors from 91 countries meet with over 72,000 attendees.
Global suppliers have access to buyers, distributors, importers, manufacturers, and retailers. Attendees will gain insights into developments and future food and industry trends. Booth space is free; participants are responsible for travel, hotel, and meals.
To participate, contact Shirley Acedo or Jennifer Lu.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
May 5-8, 2025 – Milan, Italy*
TuttoFood is for producers and distributors across the food and beverage supply chain. Meet with potential buyers, distributors, importers, proximity stores, gourmet stores, food service, out-of-home professionals, and chefs. Participants are accepted on a first-come basis and are responsible for airfare, hotel, and meals.
To participate, contact Jacob Leum.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
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May 20-23, 2025 – Cologne, Germany*
Interzum Cologne 2025 is the world’s leading trade fair for furniture production and interior design. For Wisconsin forestry product suppliers, Interzum is a platform to showcase our state's high-quality hardwood and softwood products, connecting with potential buyers and expanding into the European market.
Participants are accepted on a first-come basis and are responsible for travel, hotel, and meals. Booth space is free, and state and federal funding are available for certain product categories.
To participate, contact Jennifer Lu.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
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 September 16-18, 2025 – Sao Paulo, Brazil*
VITCAM LATAM covers animal feed and pet food services, ingredients, and machines to produce feed in Brazil and surrounding countries. The event also includes conferences and business matchmaking services.
Participants are accepted on a first-come basis and are responsible for travel, hotel, and meals. Booth space is free, and state and federal funding are available for certain product categories.
To participate, contact Jacob Leum.
*Funded by Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
The United States Department of Agriculture (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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Bangkok, Thailand: February 3-6, 2025 (Registration deadline passed)
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Guatemala City, Guatemala: March 3-7, 2025 (Registration deadline passed)
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Hong Kong: May 12-16, 2025
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Lima, Peru: June 9-12, 2025
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Dominican Republic: July 13-16, 2025
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Taiwan: September 2025
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Mexico: November 2025
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Cote d'Ivoire: December 2025
Learn more and register at the USDA FAS website.
 Recently, delegations from Wisconsin visited China and Vietnam to strengthen trade relations and help promote Wisconsin agriculture products.
Krista Knigge, DATCP Division of Agricultural Development Administrator, participated in both trips and stopped by Midwest Farm Weekly to share highlights. Access the interview to learn more about Wisconsin's exports and international relations.
Gov. Tony Evers and DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski announced that according to a study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, between 2017 and 2022 the Wisconsin agricultural production and food processing sectors increased 10.9%, and in 2022 they contributed a combined $116.3 billion to the state's economy-- 14.3% of the state’s total economic output.
Read the press release for more information.
 Wisconsin took center stage at Food and Hospitality China (FHC) in Shanghai, followed by a trade mission to Hong Kong. Four Wisconsin businesses—Shinestone Trade LLC, Amlat LLC, Milk Specialty Global, and Orange Cheese Company— showcased dairy products, while the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin emphasized the unmatched quality of Wisconsin ginseng.
To discuss future Asia initiatives, please contact Jennifer Lu.
Visit DATCP's Trade Mission Recaps page for more details.
 DATCP joined a trade mission to Osaka, Japan, led by the Softwood Export Council (SEC), to spotlight American softwood in sustainable construction. The mission included meetings with Japanese importers, industry associations, and government officials, facilitated by SEC Japan and USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Agricultural Trade Office.a
To explore future Asia initiatives, contact Jennifer Lu.
Visit DATCP Trade Mission Recaps for more details.
 With stops in Sydney and Melbourne, this collaborative mission with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and WEDC aimed to diversify export markets and unlock new global opportunities for Wisconsin’s world-class dairy, ginseng, and sustainable forestry products.
To learn more about Australia and Oceania initiatives, contact Jennifer Lu.
Visit DATCP Trade Mission Recaps for more details.
The October 2024 issue of this newsletter shared the story of Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Export (WIAE) successes in Algeria that paved the way to the first tank of U.S. bovine semen to be received by the U.S. ambassador to Algeria at the airport and delivered to a local artificial insemination center for distribution.
Visit DATCP Trade Mission Recaps to learn about the role WIAE funding played in this achievement via the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory (WVDL).
*The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE) is a collaborative project between DATCP and 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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