2020 Northeast Buyers Mission
Boston, New York Area, Philadelphia, Area
February 2 -6
Food Export’s 2020 Northeast Buyers Mission took place the first week of February starting in Boston. Participating buyers and staff then moved on to the New York area stop finally ending at the Philadelphia area stop.
There were a total of 15 international buyers and over 65 U.S. suppliers that participated in the event.
Initial results show over 10 Million in new export sales and over 8 Million in projected export sales as a result of the events and one-on-one meetings between suppliers and buyers.
Get an inside look at the show by watching our recap videos for each stop below!
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Food Show PLUS! at SMTS Japan
Tokyo, Japan
February 11 – 14
Food Export offered our Food Show PLUS! Tradeshow enhancement services at the 2020 Supermarket Trade Show (SMTS) in Japan! This year we had 5 participating suppliers.
Learn more about our Food Show PLUS! program and see all the international tradeshows it is available for on our website.
A look at the U.S. pavilion and some participating Food Export suppliers booths and tradeshow participants
A birds eye view of the trade show floor
International buyer stopping by a Food Export suppliers booth on the show floor
International buyer trying a sample of a Food Export supplier at their booth on the show floor
Food Show PLUS! at Gulfood
Dubai, U.A.E.
February 16 – 20
Food Export offered our Food Show PLUS! Services this February at Gulfood 2020 in Dubai. We had 17 participating U.S. suppliers at the show.
USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney attended the show and stopped by the Food Export booth to discuss our international efforts to help U.S. suppliers export their food and agricultural products.
The USDA is hosting a Trade Mission to the U.A.E. this November. Through our partnership with the USDA, this trade mission is at no-cost to participants. Services are made possible through Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) funding. Food Export will be offering additional wrap around services for Midwest and Northeast participants.
Immediately following that trade mission, Food Export will have a Focused Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia. At the Gulfood show Saudi Arabia was a big focus of many participants as it represents the largest market in the GCC with growing foodservice opportunities and tourism. U.S. Exports of consumer ready products to Saudi Arabia totaled 531.3 Million in 2018 and the Kingdom is an active importer of U.S. processed foods.
Market Briefing for U.S. suppliers to learn more about the Middle East markets
A group photo of some of the people helping with the U.S. pavilion at Gulfood
Our In-Market Representative leads a Retail Tour for U.S. suppliers, Food Export state members and partners to experience the market first hand
USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney stops by the Food Export booth to talk with our In-Market Representative Hovig and other staff members
FAS Administrator Clay Hamilton with Food Export In-Market Representative Hovig, USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney, Bonita Oelkhe from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, and Food Export International Marketing Program Coordinator Ben Cortese
One of our U.S. suppliers modeling a cheese hat with one of our local market representatives
Food Show PLUS! at CHFA West
Vancouver, Canada
February 21 – 23
The Canadian Health Food Association held their annual 2020 CHFA West in Vancouver from the 21st to the 23rd. Our state member Lauren from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets was on site to facilitate the event and our In-Market Representative for Canada Kathy was providing services to participating U.S. suppliers.
A scenic stop for U.S. suppliers on the guided Retail Tour of Canadian stores
A look at the show floor of CHFA West
Food Export In-Market Representative for Canada Kathy Boyce and Senior Market Development Coordinator at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Lauren Masseria pose with others outside giant bonfire
Pet Food Buyers Mission at Global Pet Expo
Orlando, Florida
February 25 – 28
Food Export – Northeast partnered with the American Pet Products Associations for the annual Pet Food Buyers Mission at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida.
We had 9 international buyers from Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam travel to the U.S. to learn about the market and meet one-on-one with the 16 U.S. suppliers that attended the mission.
Suppliers then had the opportunity to attend the show and meet with suppliers at their booths.
Get an inside look at the week of events in our recap video below.
NASDA Winter Policy Conference/Board Meetings
Arlington, Virginia
February 24 – 26
Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast Executive and Deputy Directors traveled to Arlington Virginia for the annual National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Winter Policy Conference and Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast Board Meetings.
The conference included a trip to see the Capital building as well as sessions with USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Under Secretary Ted McKinney.
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue addresses the crowd
USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney addresses the crowd
Food Export-Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski and Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast Executive Director Tim Hamilton pose in front of the #AllForAg sign at the NASDA Winter Policy Conference
Michelle and Tim have a little bit of fun with the letters
Food Export – Midwest Deputy Director Michelle Rogowski and Food Export – Northeast Acting Deputy Director Suzanne Milshaw pose in front of the Capital building on a tour of DC