On August 1, 2025, Food Export Midwest opened their Branded Program for 2026 applicants. The Branded Program provides 50% cost reimbursement for a wide variety of international marketing activities. Examples of the cost reimbursement include the following:
- International website development
- Foreign market-compliant packaging and labels
- Advertising and public relations
- In-store promotions and product demonstrations
- Fees for exhibiting at select overseas and domestic trade shows
- Marketing and point-of-sale materials
- Freight costs for product samples
Click here to begin your 2026 application.
For more information, contact Shirley Acedo at DATCP, or Daniel Griffith at Food Export.
|
Ira Frydman joined DATCP on July 14 as the new Director of the Bureau of Export Business and Development. He will oversee the International Agribusiness Center as well as the Economic Development and Innovation Center. In the last 15 years, Ira held several senior leadership roles at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). From 2022 through 2025, he served as an Agriculture Development Officer in Washington, D.C. He was a lead for 20 USAID bilateral missions in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East on behalf of the Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS), led interagency coordination to implement Feed the Future’s Global Food Security Strategy, and mentored over 20 junior USAID Foreign Service Agriculture Officers in advance of their overseas assignments. In addition to other previous international work experience, Ira was a volunteer with the United States Peace Corps in Haiti. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Kansas in environmental studies and a master's degree at the University of California-Davis in international agricultural development. He can be reached at (608) 224-5101 or Ira.frydman@wisconsin.gov. We are excited to welcome Ira to the team!
|
Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE) funding supports Export Expansion Grants: Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce Investments to Support Wisconsin Dairy, Meat, and Crop Exports
Wisconsin Cheese was front and center for a European Cheesemonger inbound mission: Cheese & Dairy Show: Welcome to Wisconsin! (in French)
 |
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Food Export-Midwest is hosting a Value-Added Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission at the 2025 World Dairy Expo. World Dairy Expo is the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, featuring more than 650 exhibitors and visitors from around the world.
Participants will meet with pre-qualified international buyers in pre-arranged one-on-one meetings, generate new sales leads, and build relationships with key industry players. This is a great low-cost opportunity to meet qualified buyers from across the globe in one place! New this year: meetings will take place right on the grounds at the Alliant Energy Center, making it easier to attend the meetings and trade show.
Register here. Registration is available for $250 until August 20, 2025. If registration is closed, please reach out for assistance.
Contact Jacob Leum with questions.
Funded by Food Export Midwest.
|
Thursday, October 2, 2025, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), and Livestock Exporters Association (LEA) are collaborating to bring the first-ever U.S.-genetics-focused event to World Dairy Expo, titled Beyond the Barn: How U.S. Dairy Genetics Leads the World. This event will feature speakers and panelists from multiple sectors to create a global forum on genetics, health, and trade. Details on speakers will be released closer to the event date.
- Topic 1: Doing Business with Americans (panel)
- Topic 2: Strength of U.S. Animal Health Programs (two speakers)
- Topic 3: The U.S. Advantage: Genetics Powered by Diverse Environments (panel)
- Topic 4: Sharpening the U.S. Genetic Edge: What Dairy Can Learn from Other Sectors (two speakers)
Contact Jacob Leum with questions.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
|
 |
|
Thursday, October 2, 2025, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), and Livestock Exporters Association (LEA) are making networking simple and convenient by organizing meetings at World Dairy Expo. These prearranged meetings will match livestock, genetics, and embryo suppliers from the United States with potential international buyers.
|
|
If you are interested in purchasing product from the U.S., scan the Buyer Form QR code.
U.S. livestock, genetics, or embryo suppliers hoping to meet international buyers should scan the Supplier Form QR code to get started.
Contact Jacob Leum with questions.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
|
|
 |
November 9-14, 2025
Toronto and Montreal, Canada
The U.S. and Canada enjoy the world's largest and most comprehensive trading relationship, with more than $3 billion in goods and services crossing their shared border daily. Due to geographic proximity and cultural similarity, as well as a common language and a high level of existing cross-border trade, Canada is a strong opportunity market for Wisconsin companies. To help Wisconsin exporters make connections in the market, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is organizing a global trade mission to Canada from November 9 to 14, 2025.
Registration closes September 5. To find more information and register, visit the WEDC website.
|
November 12-14, 2025
Shanghai, China
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.
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.
Please contact Jennifer Lu for more information and to secure your spot.
Funded by the *Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE).
|
January 26-30, 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Gulfood hosts a record 6,500+ exhibitors from over 130 countries, unveiling new business opportunities and providing solutions to new and evolving global challenges for the food and beverage industry. For the first time in its history, the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing event will span two iconic venues: Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Expo City.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites food companies to join us by participating in the Wisconsin pavilion at the 2026 show. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, accommodations, any additional equipment/furnishings (e.g., chillers), and sample shipment.
Please contact Shirley Acedo if interested.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
|
March 10-13, 2026
Tokyo, Japan
The 51st edition of FoodEx Japan reaffirms the show's status as the ultimate platform for business, trade, networking, and innovation, attracting industry leaders and professionals from across the globe. With over 80 countries and 3,000 brands represented, FoodEx Japan is an ideal place to be a part of the future of food and beverage.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites food companies to join us by participating in the Wisconsin pavilion at the 2026 show. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, accommodations, any additional equipment/furnishings (e.g., chillers), and sample shipment.
Please contact Shirley Acedo if interested.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
|
February 22-28, 2026
Monterrey and Mexico City, Mexico
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is organizing a trade mission to Mexico to help Wisconsin companies connect with potential partners in this major market, and agricultural companies are encouraged to join! Participants benefit from the firsthand knowledge of Wisconsin’s in-market trade representative, receiving market intelligence customized for their company and product/service offerings. One-on-one meetings are arranged based on each company’s specific needs, and with logistics handled for them, participants can focus on getting the most out of each meeting.
Companies do not need to have prior export experience to benefit from this trade mission, making it a great way to begin an export journey.
The registration deadline for this program is Oct. 31, 2025. Direct registration is available online, or for more information, contact Jacob Leum.
|
May 12-15, 2026
Nürnberg, Germany
At the 39th Interzoo, manufacturers, wholesalers, and service providers from 68 countries will feature the world’s most comprehensive product range for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, aquariums and terrariums, animals in the garden, equestrian sports, petfood technology, packaging, and shop fittings.
DATCP invites pet food companies to join us by participating in the Wisconsin pavilion at this show. We offer a turnkey solution including a booth rental, graphics, and furnishings. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, accommodations, and any additional equipment necessary for samples (e.g., chillers).
Contact Jacob Leum if interested in participating.
* 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. An upcoming mission includes the following:
-
Cote d'Ivoire: January 20-23, 2026
Learn more and register at the USDA FAS website.
|
- September 8-11 – Fine Foods Australia - Sydney, Australia
- September 10-12 – Americas Food & Beverage Show - Miami, Florida
- September 16-18 – VICTAM LatAm - São Paulo, Brazil
- September 29-October 1 – USDA Agricultural Trade Mission - Taiwan
- October 4-8 – Anuga Food & Beverage Fair 2025 - Cologne, Germany
- November 2-6 – USDA Agricultural Trade Mission - Mexico
 The 16th China Dairy Expo, held July 13-15, 2025, in Xiamen, China attracted over 30,000 attendees and featured 500 exhibitors from across the dairy supply chain. Wisconsin was proudly represented in the U.S. Pavilion by Genex, Agnus, Frontida Group, Hoard’s Dairyman, and Sawagrow LLC. Learn more on the DATCP trade mission recap web page.
 On July 23, DATCP welcomed a delegation from Food Export–Midwest for a roundtable discussion with International Agribusiness Center (IABC) staff and agency leadership. The Food Export-Midwest delegation included CEO/Executive Director Brendan Wilson, Chief Communications Officer/Deputy Director Laura England, Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski, and Chief Program/Partnership Officer Teresa Miller.
DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski thanked Food Export–Midwest for their collaboration and for supporting Wisconsin businesses as they grow globally. He also emphasized the importance of continued cooperative efforts to help Wisconsin food and agriculture companies achieve exporting success. This visit highlighted our valuable long-standing partnership while generating exciting possibilities for the future.
 On July 30, a U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) delegation visited DATCP for a roundtable discussion with the International Agribusiness Center (IABC) team and agency leadership.
DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski opened the meeting by introducing the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE), a state-led effort to increase the value and volume of Wisconsin agricultural exports. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between DATCP and USDEC to support Wisconsin dairy exporters and pursue new global opportunities.
The USDEC delegation included senior leaders representing policy, market access, economic research, global marketing, and membership services. Discussions focused on international market priorities, sustainability, and opportunities to align efforts and resources.
The meeting also fostered direct dialogue between the IABC staff and USDEC team to explore areas of synergy and future collaboration. The teams shared ideas to coordinate market activities, support exporter engagement, and grow Wisconsin’s dairy exports through shared goals and partnerships.
The visit reaffirmed Wisconsin’s strong partnership with USDEC and strengthened the foundation for future collaboration—working together to grow Wisconsin dairy exports around the world.
*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.
|
