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Promoting the Strength of Minnesota's Agricultural Economy
Welcome to the MDA Marketing Minute,
the marketing e-newsletter from the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
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Hugoson honored for distinguished service
The Minnesota Agri-Growth Council last week honored Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson with the organization's Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented annually to recognize individuals who significantly contribute to strengthening Minnesota's food and agriculture industry. Commissioner Hugoson is pictured with Agri-Growth Board Chairman Joe Swedberg who is Vice President of Legislative Affairs for Hormel Foods Corporation.
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MDA promotes a world of agricultural
trade opportunities
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has assisted hundreds of farmers and ag businesses by connecting them to programs and activities that can increase their export sales. These activities help Minnesota maintain it's position as the nation's seventh largest agricultural exporting state with nearly $5.5 billion in products being shipped annually to Canada, Mexico, Japan, China and other countries. More than 32,000 jobs in Minnesota are directly or indirectly related to agriculture exports.
MDA International Trade Representative Shannen Bornsen says the agency is committed to helping Minnesota companies expand their international sales. "We've helped companies of all sizes find export opportunities in markets around the world," said Bornsen. "The advantage they have in working with MDA is we have a worldwide network of resources that understand food and agriculture trade. We work one-on-one with companies to answer any export question they have."
In the last two years, Grain Millers Inc., of Eden Prairie has focused resources to increase its international sales for their dairy ingredients operation. The company has participated in trade missions to Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, China and Dubai which resulted in increased export sales. According to company spokesperson Liz Perez Atristain, the company recently added a staff member and opened an office in Puebla, Mexico, to manage new export business in Latin America. "Latin America is comprised of both mature and emerging markets that will bring opportunities for international trade with agricultural products in the long term," says Perez. "We are very excited to approach this region."
Fiberstar Inc. of Willmar has introduced its patented Citri-FiŽ specialty food ingredient in several foreign markets in Asia, South America and Europe. "Our export sales have been growing steadily at about 48 percent per year," says company spokesman Nick Kovalenko. "Currently, our international sales comprise 80 percent of our total sales. So it is needless to say that export business plays a very important role in our business growth."
Like Grain Millers and Fiberstar, many Minnesota companies take advantage of programs MDA offers through the Food Export Association of the Midwest. Food Export Midwest is a USDA-funded program which offers marketing funds, marketing research resources and sales programs to food and agriculture companies. According to Bornsen, MDA's partnership with Food Export Midwest is a key reason why Minnesota companies continue to increase their export sales.
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