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The Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council (WAXC) is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 9 a.m. CST. This meeting will feature guest speaker Roxanne Baumann, Global Business Strategist, Baumann Global, LLC.
Export Growth in a Tariff-Driven World: Managing Risk Without Losing Momentum
As tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty increase, many CEOs are questioning whether international expansion is still worth the risk. This session outlines why global revenue growth remains essential, how to mitigate tariff exposure in the short term, and what strategic shifts are required if trade barriers persist. You will gain a practical framework for balancing risk, resilience, and opportunity—drawing on best practices from Wisconsin exporters navigating today’s realities.
Roxanne Baumann is a nationally recognized global business strategist who advises CEOs and boards on international growth, trade risk, and export strategy. With more than 30 years of senior-level global sales leadership—including leadership roles at Harley-Davidson Motor Company—she brings a practical, results-driven perspective to navigating tariffs and market uncertainty. She is the architect of Wisconsin’s ExporTech™ program, where participating manufacturers generated an average of $1 million in new export revenue within their first year. Roxanne helps companies move beyond reactive decisions to build resilient, intentional global growth strategies.
To join this webinar, please complete the registration form. Once completed, log-in details will be sent. Important note, there will be a delay between registering and receiving the automated registration email.
Food Export-Midwest is a non-profit organization made up of agricultural promotion agencies from 13 Midwestern states. The organization exists to provide the support U.S. companies need to enter international markets by offering education, global connections, export strategies, and marking financial assistance.
Branded Program 2026 applications are now available through Food Export-Midwest. 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-Midwest.
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The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Throughout the year, the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, will be highlighted. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition, and economic resilience. 2026 will raise awareness and promote actions to close the gender gaps and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.
For more information, visit the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' website.
January 18-20, 2026
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
DATCP's Division of Agricultural Development staff will be at the Growing Wisconsin Conference in Wisconsin Dells. We invite you to stop by our booth to learn more about upcoming activities, grants, programs, and services available.
For more information on Growing Wisconsin Conference, visit www.freshfruitvegetable.org.
February 26-28, 2026
La Crosse, Wisconsin
DATCP's Division of Agricultural Development staff will be at the Marbleseed Conference in La Crosse. Stop by our booth to learn more about upcoming activities, grants, programs, and services available.
For more information on the Marbleseed Conference, visit conference.marbleseed.org.
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March 3-6, 2026
Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Food Export-Midwest is partnering with DATCP to bring a focused trade mission to Mexico! For this mission, think charcuterie! Our goal is to bring all aspects of a fun event with all items that go with a charcuterie board. We will have a live demonstration by a chef for buyers to learn how to pair and what to experience with all the different products. Suppliers will be able to take advantage of the benefits below:
- One-on-one meetings with qualified buyers in both cities
- Pre-event custom product research including market overview, importation, and distribution analysis
- Market briefing by local USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
- Retail store tour
- Tabletop showcase
- Inclusion in trade mission brochure containing your company profile, contact details, and product lines
- Onsite assistance by Food Export’s in-market representative
- Identifying top leads
- Interpreter for meetings
- Translation of up to two pages of marketing material into the local language
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.
Registration is available online until January 21, 2025. Direct registration is $625. For more information, contact Jacob Leum.
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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 more than 80 countries and 3,000 brands represented, FoodEx Japan is an ideal place to be a part of the future of food and beverage.
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, and sample shipment.
Please contact Shirley Acedo if interested.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
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May 12-15, 2026
Nürnberg, Germany
At 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 for samples.
Contact Jacob Leum if interested in participating.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
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May 20-22, 2026
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
ILDEX Vietnam, the international livestock, dairy, meat processing, and aquaculture exposition, has become the leading trade exhibition in the Asia region with strong attendance and plentiful business opportunities. Livestock experts and leading exhibitors have stated that it is the best marketplace and international business platform for the Vietnamese market.
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 for samples.
Contact Jacob Leum if interested in participating.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
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June 2-4, 2026
Utrecht, The Netherlands
VIV Europe is the top-quality event for animal and livestock industry. Professionals active in the production of poultry, eggs, pork, fish, feed systems, digital farming and management, milk production, and dairy farming, all have numerous reasons to meet up. It provides the platform to meet 600 suppliers from the entire supply chain. VIV Europe gathers every four years the latest innovations of the industry in the heart of the Netherlands!
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 for samples.
Contact Jacob Leum if interested in participating.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
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June 4-5, 2026
Bergamo, Italy
Forestry product companies are invited to showcase their products at Interzum Italy in Bergamo, June 4–5, 2026. Italy is not only Europe’s third-largest furniture producer, but also a global design hub where innovation, craftsmanship, and supply chain connections set international trends. Exhibiting at Interzum Italy places Wisconsin companies at the heart of Europe’s thriving furniture and interior design industry—an ideal platform to build partnerships, access new buyers, and strengthen export opportunities.
Through the Wisconsin booth turnkey package, participating companies will benefit from:
- Prime exhibit space
- Professional booth design, setup, and dismantling
- Company branding in Europe’s premier future manufacturing market
Don’t miss this chance to expand into European markets and position your company in front of key industry decision-makers!
To learn more or secure your spot, please contact Jennifer Lu.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
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August 31-September 3, 2026
Melbourne, Australia
Wisconsin cheese and food product companies are invited to join us at Fine Food Australia 2026, Australia’s leading food and beverage trade show serving buyers from Australia and New Zealand.
This activity will align with the USDA Australia & New Zealand Trade Mission, offering Wisconsin companies valuable market exposure and in-market connections across Oceania. Participation is jointly supported by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, with Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program available to help offset eligible travel costs.
Contact Jennifer Lu or Shirley Acedo if you're interested in learning more.
Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports*
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The United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service's (USDA FAS) agricultural trade missions help American companies increase their global reach. Upcoming missions includes:
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Indonesia: February 2-5, 2026
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Philippines: April 13-16, 2026
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Turkey: May 2026
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Australia and New Zealand: August 2026
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Saudi Arabia: September 2026
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Vietnam: November 2026
Learn more and register at the USDA FAS website.
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- January 26-30 – Gulfood, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- February 3-5 – Focused Trade Mission to West Africa for Consumer-Oriented Products
- February 22-28 – WEDC Trade Mission to Mexico
 In October, DATCP attended the IDF World Dairy Summit 2025 in Santiago, Chile. Nearly 900 delegates from over 40 countries came together to explore the future of dairy innovation, sustainability, and trade.
Supported by the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export program and the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, the participation offered valuable opportunities for learning, interaction, and global networking. With the theme “Nourishing a Sustainable World,” the summit showcased advances in climate-smart farming, dairy technology, and nutrition. Visits to farms, processors, and cooperatives in Chile offered valuable insight into animal welfare and sustainability, with some already using U.S. and Wisconsin genetics, signaling strong potential for Wisconsin livestock genetics exports. Chile’s growing interest in high-protein and health-focused dairy products also opens doors for Wisconsin cheese, dairy promotion, and training.
The U.S. Dairy Export Council booth drew crowds with Nasonville’s cheese curds and Sartori cheeses from Wisconsin. Other U.S. partner organizations represented at the event included the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Milk Producers Federation, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), and Dairy Management Inc. As global conversations around dairy sustainability and innovation continue, Wisconsin’s strong presence at events like the IDF World Dairy Summit helps open new doors for collaboration, trade, information sharing and learning and progress.
 From November 3-6, DATCP staff joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Trade Mission to Mexico City, Mexico. This mission was led by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins and Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg.
Mexico is the largest agricultural trading partner with the U.S. - valued at $30.2 billion in 2024 - and second largest for Wisconsin at $459 million in 2024. This was the largest agricultural trade mission the USDA has conducted consisting of 41 U.S. businesses, 33 cooperators and agriculture advocacy groups, six state departments of agriculture, and 150 participants.
While there, DATCP staff met with Mexican importers looking to source new product, USDA staff to explore collaboration, and different cooperators to see where strategic plans can align for exporting more products from Wisconsin. Staff also met with officials from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and SENASICA (National Service for Health, Safety, and Agri-Food Quality) where the status of eradicating New World Screwworm was discussed. We look forward to building upon our visit and fostering relations for future export growth.
 Staff from DATCP's International Agribusiness Center (IABC) participated in the U.S. Agricultural Delegation to China in November 2025 - one of America’s most important export markets. Led by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) alongside 13 U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperator groups, the mission underscored China’s continued importance for U.S. and Wisconsin dairy genetics, livestock, cheese, food products, soybeans, grains, and Wisconsin Ginseng. Being present in-market remains one of the most effective ways to demonstrate long-term reliability and strengthen institutional relationships, especially during periods of trade dispute. IABC staff participation was generously supported by U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE).
The mission began in Beijing with productive meetings with Chinese government agencies and leading industry partners. The delegation then traveled to Shanghai to participate in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), where the U.S. Pavilion drew national media attention. Wisconsin’s presence stood out with Alice in Dairyland serving as Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador. Her participation was co-sponsored by the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin and USLGE, reflecting strong industry support for Wisconsin’s outreach in China. Her presence added a warm, recognizable connection to Wisconsin agriculture and helped share Wisconsin’s story with Chinese consumers, from dairy, livestock, and sausages to our heritage specialty crop, Wisconsin Ginseng.
Following CIIE, DATCP and Alice in Dairyland supported Wisconsin companies at Food and Hospitality China, working closely with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, Amlat, Orange Cheese, Schuman Cheese, Hsu’s Ginseng, Marathon Ginseng, and Shine Stone representing Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. Wisconsin’s producers benefitted from strong foot traffic, enthusiastic buyers, and significant media exposure throughout the show.
 In November, a highly specialized team of experts, including representatives from public and private veterinary diagnostic labs, genetics organizations, Wisconsin trade officials, and animal health experts, participated in a U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc.- (USLGE) and Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports-funded outbound genetics trade mission to Qatar and Ethiopia.
While in Qatar, the Wisconsin team met with leaders from Baladna Farms and toured the Baladna processing plants outside Doha. Balada provides 95% of the fresh milk in Qatar and has plans on expanding operations into Algeria. The objective of this trade mission was to strengthen relationships, technical collaboration on animal health, and to share Wisconsin’s expertise across agricultural sectors.
After transitioning to Ethiopia, the team met with officials from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alfa Farms (largest commercial dairy farm in Ethiopia), Animal Health Institute (AHI), Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA), and State Minister for Livestock, all focusing on Ethiopia’s livestock development strategies, dairy production goals, disease surveillance, and opportunities for collaboration in animal health and productivity.
Ethiopia aims for a 400% increase in dairy production by 2031, but faces significant challenges, including limitations in the cold chain, infectious disease control, loss of genetic diversity, and shortages of trained personnel. These engagements with IRLI, Alfa Farms, AHI, and regulatory authorities highlighted the need for integrated solutions across genetics, feed, disease management, and supply chain infrastructure.
 Staff from DATCP's International Agribusiness Center participated in the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin’s (GBW) Gold Standard Days in early December. This was the first time GBW has held the event since 2017. Wisconsin Ginseng is a premium, slow-growing root used widely as a medicinal supplement. It is valued for its purity, potency, traceability, and is known worldwide for its distinctive “cooling” profile and exceptional quality.
The program welcomed long-time partners and new friends from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and across the United States, along with GBW’s in-country representatives from Asia. Despite the snowy weather, buyers visited with growers, toured the ginseng showroom, reviewed dozens of grower lots, and shared products they developed using Wisconsin ginseng.
The event showed that Wisconsin ginseng is more than a crop. It reflects generations of grower expertise, a unique climate and soil, and a deep commitment to quality and integrity. These strengths reach consumers worldwide through the trust and partnership of these key international buyers. Many new ideas emerged on how to strengthen collaboration, respond to market needs, and expand global demand. We look forward to building on this momentum between Wisconsin Ginseng and its partners.
*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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