The next Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council (WAXC) webinar is Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 9 a.m. CST. Topics include the following:

• USDA Export Credit Program
• Tri-National Accord Meeting Recap
• Wisconsin Export Highlights Q3 YTD 2024
• Upcoming Activities

WAXC helps guide the activities funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE). Members include international trade experts from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and DATCP, state legislators, agricultural organizations, and agribusinesses representing crop, dairy, and meat products. This meeting is open to the public; join via this ZoomGov link.

The International Market Access Grant (IMAG) is opening a second round of applications for 2025 from February 1 through March 15.

The IMAG provides funding for Wisconsin companies to reimburse export development project expenses up to $10,000, and up to $30,000 for ExporTech™ participants. The program is funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

For information visit wedc.org/programs/international-market-access-grant/. Access the IMAG Application Checklist for 2025 and the IMAG Information Packet for 2025.

ExporTech™ is designed for emerging and experienced exporters to develop their strategic export plan. Over three days, non-competing companies determine their top three export markets and develop an actionable strategic plan. 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 (WIAE).

March 4-5, 2025 – Anaheim, California

Food Export Association-Midwest, in partnership with the Organic Trade Association, will conduct a Natural Products Buyers Mission at the 2025 Natural Products Expo West. This show attracts global natural, organic, and healthy lifestyle buyers. There are 20 buyers lined up representing all areas of the world.

Meeting slots are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more and sign up here or contact Jacob Leum.

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, Waitrose, Iceland supermarkets, Marks & Spencer, Aramark, and British Airways. Participants are accepted on a first-come basis and are responsible for airfare, hotel, and meals.

There is only one spot remaining. To participate, contact Shirley Acedo.

* Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE).

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. Anuga Select is the largest business platform in the world for the food and beverage industry. Brazil´s food retail sector has a total revenue of US$96 billion, the largest in Latin America and the fifth largest in the world. Anuga Select Brazil offers the opportunity for suppliers to connect directly with buyers from Brazil and provides a gateway to the entire South American region and beyond.

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.

The deadline to sign up is January 20, 2025. To participate, contact Jacob Leum.

* Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE).

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. A well-rounded and large-scale professional exhibition with an international focus, TuttoFood serves as a stage for the food world, showcasing not only high-quality national products but also the very best international offerings, represented by exhibitors from all over the world.

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. 

The deadline to sign up is March 1, 2025. To participate, contact Jacob Leum.

* Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE).

May 20-23, 2025 – Cologne, Germany*

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. Interzum is the world’s leading trade fair for furniture production and interior design. 

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.

To participate, contact Jennifer Lu.

* Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE).

July 2025 – Xia Men, China

Wisconsin businesses in dairy genetics, feed supplements, dairy products, animal health, processing, and more are encouraged to exhibit at China Dairy Expo 2025. This is the largest and most influential dairy production event in China, covering the entire dairy production chain. Participants have the opportunity to connect with key players in China’s growing dairy industry, organized by the China Dairy Association. Event website and dates are coming soon.

Participants will share booth space and receive a listing in the bilingual Wisconsin Directory, access to Wisconsin and U.S. forums, turnkey booth assistance, translation services, and business matchmaking.

To participate, contact Jennifer Lu.

DATCP is coordinating two back-to-back missions through Food Export for retail and food service companies that offer a minimum 51% U.S. food. Register by April 11 for a reduced price of $425 per mission. Follow the links below for information on each mission and contact Shirley Acedo to learn more.

August 11-13, 2025 – Shanghai & Hangzhou, China:
China remains the fourth largest market for the export of U.S. processed foods. The U.S. is also the fourth largest supplier of consumer-oriented food products to China, behind Brazil, Thailand, and New Zealand.

Learn more about the Focused Trade Mission to China.

August 14-15, 2025 – Hong Kong:
Hong Kong has a free market economy, highly dependent on international trade and finance — the value of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of re-export, is about four times GDP. Hong Kong has no tariffs on imported goods, and it levies excise duties on only four commodities, whether imported or produced locally: hard alcohol, tobacco, oil, and methyl alcohol. There are no quotas or dumping laws. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the U.S. dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983. 

Learn more about the Focused Trade Mission to Hong Kong.

September 16-18, 2025 – São Paulo, Brazil*

Victam 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. 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.

The deadline to sign up is July 7, 2025. To participate, contact Jacob Leum.

* Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE).

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:

• Hong Kong: May 12-16, 2025 (Application Open)
• Lima, Peru: June 9-12, 2025
• Dominican Republic: July 13-16, 2025
• Taiwan: September 2025
• Mexico: November 2025
• Cote d'Ivoire: December 2025

Learn more and register at the USDA FAS website.