Promoting the Strength of Minnesota's Agricultural Economy
Welcome to the MDA Marketing Minute,
the marketing e-newsletter from the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture |
 Minnesota Provides Training Tools to Vietnamese Grocers
MDA and the Ohio Department of Agriculture received grant funds through USDA's Emerging Market Program to conduct management training for two of Vietnam's important supermarket chains, FiviMart and CitiMart. This management training project was initiated through feedback from retailers on previous MDA-sponsored trade missions to Vietnam.
"By providing these retailers with tools to better manage their operations, we're opening the door for more Minnesota and U.S. products to be featured on the store shelves in the future," said Shannen Bornsen, International Resources Manager for MDA. "We've shown these buyers that we want to have a strong relationship with them as they grow, and this puts our state's companies in the forefront of their minds when it comes to purchasing new imported product."
The management training project took place over five weeks. Retail consultant R. Roger Romwell led interviews with corporate management, store management, store employees, key product suppliers and customers. A representative sample of stores for each chain was also visited and evaluated based on store layout, product variety, product display and customer service. After each chain was evaluated, a training program was tailored to best fit the business needs. Corporate managers, store management and store employees were offered training through group workshops and individual consultation.
"The Vietnamese retailers expressed great appreciation for being selected to participate in the program," said Romrell. "Both retailers committed to strengthening ties and support of Minnesota and Ohio food providers."
Mr. Romrell has had extensive experience in grocery retailing. He served as president of IGA in Singapore, president of the Northern California Division for Fleming Companies Inc., and Director of Sales, Store Development and Advertising for Associated Food Stores. Most recently, he has been doing consulting work for several domestic and international clients.
FiviMart is a chain headquartered in Hanoi. FiviMart was the first modern supermarket chain in Hanoi and currently operates 13 stores in the city. Family-owned CitiMart is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City. The chain operates 22 supermarkets and convenience stores in the city. CitiMart established the first modern supermarket store in Vietnam as well as the first convenience store format.
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 Goat's Milk Cheese to Hit Markets this Month
A lack of buyers for goat's milk may be the next best thing for cheese lovers.
The state's main goat milk buyer will stop purchasing after mid-July due to declining demand. So the MDA's Livestock Development Team has been working with dairy goat farmers to find another market for their product and the result is a new, aged gouda from goat's milk.
"We've been helping them consider several options for the milk and this is one of them," says MDA Livestock Specialist Kelly Anderson. "The goat's milk gouda will be produced in partnership with well-established cheese producers, Ed and Eileen Eichten of Center City."
Anderson, who began working for MDA in December, fields calls on a variety of needs and requests from livestock farmers.
"I've been working with an Oregon couple who wants to purchase a dairy farm here," she says. "With each dairy cow bringing over $15,000 in economic activity to the state, every new farmer we can attract has the potential to be a huge asset to the future of rural Minnesota.
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State Corn Growers Cheer China Purchase
Minnesota corn farmers got some encouraging news with a recent USDA announcement that China has purchased 115,000 metric tons (4.5 million bushels) of U.S. corn - the first purchase of U.S. corn exports in four years. Industry experts say it's a timely development as it appears U.S. corn growers may be heading toward the planting of another record crop.
"We're pleased to see that the Chinese market has re-opened, giving American farmers another opportunity to market their corn," said DeVonna Zeug, president of Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), and a corn and soybean farmer in Redwood County. "As important as our domestic livestock and ethanol markets are, almost half of Minnesota's corn crop is still exported outside our state borders, so it's encouraging to see MCGA's work in this area - through our support of the U.S. Grains Council - is paying dividends."
With China entering the market as a buyer, analysts say any hints of concerns about weather and crop development in the United States could send prices sharply higher.
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R&P Councils Elect New Reprentatives
Agriculture producers in Minnesota have elected new members to serve on four commodity research and promotion councils.
These commodity research and promotion councils play an important role in coordinating the ongoing development and promotion of farm products such as grains and meats. Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner Gene Hugoson expressed his appreciation of producers who participated in the elections.
"Through commodity council elections, producers have more involvement and a voice in how their check-off dollars are spent," said Hugoson. "It's very important that they take advantage of this opportunity and I want to thank all the candidates and producers who took the time to vote."
Board members representing the following counties will serve three-year terms.
Barley Research and Promotion Council
Mike Friederichs, Wilkin
Robert Rynning, Kittson
Beef Research and Promotion Council
District 4 - John Moon, Chippewa
District 5 - Ronald Rinkel, Morrison
District 6 - Lori Schott, Mille Lacs
District 7 - Mark Malecek, Redwood
District 9 - Carol Abrahamzon, Houston
Soybean Research and Promotion Council
District 4 - Vernon Pooch, Pope
District 5 & 6 - Paul Simonsen, Renville
District 7 - Gene Stoel, Murray
District 8 - Keith Schrader, Rice
District 9 - Rob Hanks, Waseca
Corn Research and Promotion Council
District 3, 5 & 6 - Chad Willis, Kandiyohi
District 7 - Jerry Ploehn, Jackson
District 8 -David Ward, Faribault
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AG STATS
Minnesota is the 4th largest biofuels-producing state in the nation. Our 21 ethanol plants have the combined production capacity of more than 1 billion gallons. |
 You Can Savor Minnesota Again.....Next Year
If you missed the first-ever Savor Minnesota, don't let your taste buds be too disappointed. A great turnout at Canterbury Park combined with positive feedback will likely compel organizers to schedule a second-annual event next spring.
Sponsored by Minnesota Grown and the Minnesota Farm Winery Association, the best of Minnesota wine, food, and beer was showcased by more than 30 local vendors.
Minnesota Grown program director Paul Hugunin says tasters and attendees were enthusiastic about the variety and quality of Minnesota products offered.
"We were really encouraged with the response to the show and we're already talking about plans for next year," said Hugunin. "This was a great venue for experienced businesses and new-comers alike to highlight products Minnesotans can be proud of."
Of course, you don't have to wait until next year to savor all of Minnesota's finest. You can find many delectable and delicious products in the 2010 Minnesota Grown Directory. |
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New Ethanol Market Report Available
The latest Ethanol Market News shows a decreasing price trend for Minnesota's ethanol and an increasing trend for gasoline and crude oil during the past three months. Ethanol prices are currently reported at around $1.65/gallon, the lowest level since April 2009, while gasoline prices are around $2.35/gallon, the highest level since December 2008.
Minnesota has remained the national leader of E-85 fueling stations. As of April 2010, there are 2,030 retail E-85 stations in the U.S. - about 1.3 percent of 160,000 stations nationwide. Minnesota has 352 - about 12.4 percent of 2,850 stations statewide. Illinois is a distant second with 203 stations and Iowa the third with 129 stations.
Ethanol Market News is a quarterly publication from the Agricultural Marketing Services of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
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