From Regional Workshops to Board Meetings and More: September 2019 Recap

Food Export – Midwest Liaison and Recruitment Supervisor Paul Weiss traveled to Canada to participate in the USDA Agri-Business Trade Mission with stops in Toronto and Montreal. USDA Agri-Business Trade Missions allow for U.S. suppliers from a variety of industries to travel to a market in person, tour local stores, and meet one-on-one with local industry professionals. The Canadian market remains the top export market for U.S. agricultural products in the world, and with the current negotiations around the new USMCA trade agreement going on, creating and strengthening relationship in the market is more important than ever before.

Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast had seven suppliers that participated in this year’s mission and our initial reports show over $750,000 in projected export sales as a result.

Find a list of the other USDA Agri-Business Trade Missions happening in 2019 on their website.

USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney giving opening remarks of the USDA Trade Mission

Retail tour of local Canadian stores in Toronto

Retail tour continued

One-on-one meetings between U.S. suppliers and Canadian buyers

One-on-one meetings continued

USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney and others at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto

Food Export – Midwest Recruitment and Liaison Supervisor Paul Weiss at the Hockey Hall of Fame

Seafood Trade Mission to the Middle East
Dubai, U.A.E.
September 7 – 9

Food Export – Northeast partnered with the Maine International Trade Center to take four Northeast based Seafood suppliers to Dubai to explore new market opportunities for U.S. seafood. This 3-day mission included a market briefing, visits to the fish market and major hypermarkets, a lobster and oyster cooking demonstration for seafood trade guests and hotel chefs, and one-on-one business meetings with U.A.E. and GCC seafood trade representatives.

This mission was made possible by our recent funding through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) aimed at diversifying export market opportunities for the Northeast suppliers hit hard by recent trade and tariff issues.

Food Export – Northeast Seafood Coordinator Colleen Coyne with MITC International Trade Specialist Jeff Bennett and a few of our participating seafood suppliers

Retail Tour: seafood section of a local grocery store in Dubai

Retail tour continued

Presentation on the American lobster industry for Middle East buyers by Maine lobsterman Brian Rapp

Food Export – Northeast Seafood Coordinator Colleen Coyne, Food Export IMR Hovig, MITC International Trade Specialist Jeff Bennett and some of our participating suppliers.

Bakery Ingredients Buyers Mission at IBIE
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 7 – 11

Food Export held a Bakery Ingredients Buyers Mission at the 2019 International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) Show in Las Vegas! This show happens ever three years and is a great opportunity for our Midwest and Northeast suppliers who have bakery ingredients to meet buyers and other suppliers in the industry. This year we had 15 participating suppliers and 11 international buyers participating in the event. Initial reports show over $11 Million in new export sales, $3.5 Million in projected export sales, and 96 new supplier/buyer introductions as a result of the activity!

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Associate Calleigh in front of the IBIE entrance

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Associate Calleigh, Food Export – Northeast Liaison Deb, and some of the international buyers participating in the mission

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Associate Calleigh and Food Export – Northeast Liaison Deb with our buyers Raquel, Guatemala, and Chirag, India

Can’t go to Las Vegas without seeing a few Elvis impersonators!

FAS Regional Workshop – South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
September 9 – 11

Food Export – Midwest Branded Program Manager Molly Burns traveled to South Africa to participate in the FAS Regional Workshop for Africa & the Middle East. She had the opportunity to learn more about the current status of U.S. products in the various markets as well as meet with the local FAS posts to discuss new strategies for U.S. suppliers expanding their reach. While there she also had the opportunity to attend a local trade show, the Fire & Feast Meat Festival.

Food Export – Midwest Branded Program Manager Molly Burns with staff from the FAS office in Pretoria

FAS’ Mark Slupek talking about the Market Access Program

Fire & Feast Meat Festival

Private label pretzels from the U.S.

Food Show PLUS! at Fine Foods Australia
Sydney, Australia
September 9 – 12

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Manager Teresa Miller traveled to Australia to help facilitate our Food Show PLUS! program at the Fine Foods Australia show. We had four participating suppliers from the Midwest and Northeast that utilized the program to meet with new qualified buyers, have on-site assistance from our staff and In-Market Representative, as well as help with post-show lead qualifications.

Australia ranked as the 19^th destination for U.S. agricultural export markets in 2018 totaling $1.4 Billion. Interested in exploring more opportunities in the Australian market? We have a Focused Trade Mission to Australia happening in Summer 2020!

Sydney Opera House

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Manager Teresa Miller, and state member Lisa Stout from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection on a retail tour with participating U.S. suppliers

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Manager Teresa Miller, and state member Lisa Stout from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at the Food Export booth on the show floor with a few of the exhibitors

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Manager Teresa Miller with Lindy Crothers,Agricultural Marketing Specialist in Canberra, Brendan Cody, AG marketing specialist in Auckland, New Zealand, and John Arnold, Food Export In Market Representative at the booth

Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Manager Teresa Miller with Sharon Hudson-Dean,
Consul General in Sydney, and Levin Flake, Agricultural Counselor AG Affairs, Canberra, Australia at a networking reception

NASDA Annual Meeting/Food Export Board Meetings
Albuquerque, New Mexico
September 9 – 12

Food Export – Midwest & Food Export – Northeast Executive Director Tim Hamilton, Food Export – Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski, Food Export – Northeast International Marketing Program Manager & Acting Deputy Director Suzanne Milshaw, and Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Senior Coordinator Brendan Wilson all traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the annual National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) meeting. They also hosted our annual Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast Board Meetings.

USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue attended the NASDA meeting to give the Keynote Speech and attended both the Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast Board Meetings.

USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue attending the Food Export – Midwest Board Meeting

Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast Executive Director Tim Hamilton and Food Export – Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski visit a local gift shop in Albuquerque

Focused Trade Missions to Chile & Peru
Santiago, Chile & Lima, Peru
September 9 – 11, 12 – 13

Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast held two back to back Trade Missions starting in Santiago, Chile and then traveling to Lima, Peru. The missions had a great response from the 14 participating suppliers who are excited to have additional opportunities to expand their business in South American markets.

Initial reports for the mission to Chile show 135 new supplier/buyer introductions, over $300,000 in new export sales, and $1,900,000 in projected export sales. Initial reports for the mission to Peru show 164 new supplier/buyer introductions, $145,000 in new export sales, and $2,300,000 in projected export sales.

CHILE

Food Export Booth

Participating U.S. suppliers, Food Export staff, and In-Market Reps group photo

PERU

Market Briefing on Peru

One-on-one meetings in Peru

U.S product highlight table at networking reception

Networking Reception

More one-on-one meetings

Retail tour of local Peruvian store

Retail tour continued

New England Made
Boxboro, Massachusetts
September 10 – 11

Food Export – Northeast Liaison Apryl King traveled to the New England Made show in Massachusetts to meet with current and potential suppliers that participate in our programs and services.

Entrance to the New England Made Show

Best New Product awards

Natural Products Buyers Mission at 2019 Natural Products Expo East
Baltimore, Maryland
September 11 – 14

Food Export – Northeast, in conjunction with the Organic Trade Association, hosted a Natural Products Buyers Mission during Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, Maryland.

Food Export-Northeast Finance and HR Manager Eric Kushner, Branded Program Manager Howard Gordon, Liaison Maddie Smith, Food Export-Midwest Liaison Paul Sorenson, and Export Advisor Wayne Batwin were all in attendance at the mission and show. There was great response from all the buyers and suppliers that participated in the mission.

While at the show, it was interesting to see some of the new trends/products that are emerging in the Natural Product industry, such as plant-based foods, hemp infused foods, and bone broth.. There were also trends to have transparent labeling, and it was apparent that companies were willing to spend the time and money to get certified as kosher or organic.

We are excited that the 2020 Expo East show will be in our hometown of Philadelphia!

Food Export – Northeast Branded Program Manager Howard Gordon presenting to participating international buyers

Retail tour of local stores for international buyers

Retail tour continued

Food Export – Midwest Liaison Paul Sorenson meeting one-on-one with suppliers

One-on-one meetings between U.S. suppliers and international buyers at Expo East

Food Export – Northeast Liaison Maddie Smith, Branded Program Manager Howard Gordon, and Food Export – Midwest Liaison Paul Sorenson on booth duty

Can’t wait to see everyone in Philly next year for Expo East!

The Big E
West Springfield, Massachusetts
September 13 – 29

Food Export – Northeast Liaison Apryl King attended The Big E event in Massachusetts. The event had the largest attendance in history this year with 1,629,527! Apryl had the opportunity to visit a few of the State Pavilions and meet with existing and potential suppliers.

The New Hampshire building at the Big E

A giant lobster

FAS Regional Workshop – South Asia
Bangkok, Thailand
September 17 – 18

Food Export – Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the FAS Regional Workshop for South Asia. FAS Administrator Ken Isley attended the workshop and gave an opening address.

Group photo of all SE Asia Regional Workshop attendees in Bangkok

FAS Administrator Ken Isley welcoming all Cooperators at the FAS regional workshop

Importer Seminar – Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand
September 18

After the FAS Regional Workshop for South Asia, Food Export – Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski stayed in Thailand to present at one of our Food Export Importer Seminars. Over 40 local buyers attended the event to learn more about our Programs and Services available to U.S. suppliers.

John Moreland, the Global Connect Manager, from the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) was also in town for the FAS Workshop and had the opportunity to sit in on one of our Importer Seminars.

Food Export – Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski with WUSATA Global Connect Manager John Moreland

FAS Regional Workshop – North Asia
Tokyo, Japan
September 18 – 20

Next Food Export – Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski traveled to Tokyo, Japan to participate in the FAS Regional Workshop for North Asia.

Tokyo traffic at night

Tokyo skyline at night

America’s Food and Beverage Show
Miami, Florida
September 23 – 24

Food Export – Midwest Liaison Lauren Kliethermes traveled to Miami, Florida to attend the 23^rd Annual America’s Food and Beverage Show held at the Miami Convention Center.

She had the opportunity to sit in on some educational sessions, walk the show floor to meet with current and potential suppliers, and network with other industry professionals. She even had the opportunity to meet up with a few of the staff from the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) who had a booth on the show floor.

America’s Food and Beverage entrance

U.S.A. pavilion at the America’s Food and Beverage Show

Food Export – Midwest Liaison Lauren Kliethermes at the SUSTA booth with Missie and Danielle.

Seafood Event at U.S. Embassy in Spain
Madrid, Spain
September 23

Food Export – Northeast participated in a special event at the US Embassy in Madrid that featured U.S. products including lobster, monkfish, scallops, and Jonah crab. Other MAP cooperators including the Brewer’s Association, Inc. and the California Walnut Commission also participated in the event.

This event was made possible by our recent funding through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) aimed at diversifying export market opportunities for the Northeast suppliers hit hard by recent trade and tariff issues.

Food Export – Northeast Seafood Coordinator Colleen Coyne greeting Marcelo Cinicola from Lund’s Fisheries Spain, Rey Rodríguez, President of Mardemar, Jeniffer Clever, USDA-FAS Agricultural Attaché, US Embassy Madrid, and Marta Guerrero, USDA-FAS Madrid.

Rafael Ansón, President of the Royal Spanish Academy of Gastronomy

Juan Merino, HRI purchasing manager El Corte Ingles with chef Sergio Fernández,

Food Export – Northeast Seafood Coordinator Colleen Coyne and In Market Representative Felipe Macias talk with Andrew Holmgren from East Coast Seafood

Food Export – Northeast Seafood Coordinator Colleen Coyne and In Market Representative Felipe Macias with Duke Buchan III, U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Jeniffer Clever, USDA-FAS Agricultural Attaché, US Embassy Madrid

Food Show PLUS! at Food Technology Summit & Expo
Mexico City, Mexico
September 24 – 26

Food Export held our Food Show PLUS! tradeshow enhancement package at the Food Technology Summit & Expo in Mexico City. This year we had seven suppliers from the Midwest and Northeast regions take advantage of the program, which also has an add on option of a translator for your booth!

See all of the trade shows where we have a Food Show PLUS! available in 2020 here.

Mexico City Skyline

Entrance to Food Tech Summit & Expo

Safety first when setting up the booth!

COMING UP IN OCTOBER

Inbound Shellfish Buyers Mission – September 30 – October 2

Value-Added Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission at the World Dairy Expo – October 2

Food Show PLUS! at Anuga – October 4 – 9

Nourished Festival – October 5 – 7

Importer Seminar – Mexico – October 8 – 9

USDA Agri-Business Trade Mission to Vietnam – October 14 – 17

Food Export Member State Marketing Meeting – October 22 – 24

Focused Trade Mission to Panama – October 29 – 30

Food Show PLUS! at 2019 China Fisheries Show – October 30 – November 1

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact us. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer.

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast reserve the right to deny services to any firm or individual which, in the sole opinion of Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast, does not comply with FAS, MAP or Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast regulations or policies, or otherwise offer the best opportunity to achieve its mission of increasing food and agricultural exports. Submission of any false or misleading information may be grounds for rejection or subsequent revocation of any application or participation. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are equal opportunity employers and providers.

USDA Agri-Business Trade Mission to Canada

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