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L to R: John Miller, Northwest Grain International, Christina Connelly, MDA, Ambassador Cuong, Wayne Knewtson, Knewtson Soy Products |
Connecting with
our trading partners
MDA recently visited with trade delegations from Vietnam and Taiwan as part of our ongoing efforts to increase export opportunitites for Minnesota's agricultural products.
Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong met with Minnesota company reps for a business roundtable. The group discussed Vietnam's trade policies, market opportunities and market barriers. Minnesota's primary exports to Vietnam are animal feed and grains.
Distinguished visitors from Taiwan's Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago included Mr. Baushuan Ger, Director-General, and his associate Mr. Eric Lin, Director, who traveled here to learn more about our agricultural exports. MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson and Assistant Commsisioner Charlie Poster greeted the visitors and briefed them on Minnesota's agricultural industry. Frederickson hopes to bring a procurement delegation from Taiwan to Minnesota in 2013.
Minnesota and Taiwan have a long-standing cultural and trade relationship spanning several decades. Taiwan is the 6th largest market for Minnesota's ag products, with an annual export value of $215 million. On a per capita basis, Taiwan is the largest consumer of US food products in the world.
Taiwan has a population of 23.1 million and an area about one-fifth the size of Minnesota. Its GDP ranks among the top 20 in the world. Corn is Taiwan's #1 agricultural import from the US, followed by soybeans and wheat. The fastest-growing US ag exports to Taiwan include wheat, poultry, and processed food.
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Register early for MDA's India Buyer's Mission!
With $755 million in agricultural US imports in 2010, India is currently the 30th largest export market for US ag products. As the economy develops and demand increases for many new products, Indian importers are looking for suppliers to help meet this demand - and Minnesota companies can help! Finding buyers in India for Minnesota products will give our companies an edge in this market at a key time.
This July, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will bring five buyers from India to Minnesota for a "reverse trade mission." The one-on-one meetings between the buyers and Minnesota companies will be held July 16-17 at the Millennium Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. This event is the perfect low-cost opportunity to meet these purchasers all in one location and right here at home.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early to secure your spot. The registration deadline is June 22. Cost for the event is $50 for larger companies and free for those smaller businesses that meet the U.S. Small Business Administration's criteria.
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Industry Feature:
TSC Container Freight, a division of The Scoular Company, is a large volume NVOCC (Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier) offering full logistics service with sizable offices in Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City. TSC handles a diverse range of food and agricultural products via many modes of ocean transport both in and out of containers, and is equipped to work with both new-to-export and experienced companies.
TSC has been in business in Minnesota since 1999, initially built on a platform of exporting food and feed. TSC has since built on and added to that original philisophy with a committment to offer a locally-based "personal touch" that is not always available. Today, TSC is active in all aspects of logistics around food and agricultural products. The services offered also include many other commodities such as hazardous, roll on-roll off machinery, reefer cargo, dairy products, rice, etc. TSC is supported by an extensive network of partners around the world and a substantial, and committed, client base in the US. |
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Columbia TPA
becomes a reality
Under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement that went into effect May 15, more than half of US ag exports to that country began immediately receiving duty-free access while virtually all remaining tariffs will be eliminated within 10 years. By that time, the USDA estimates an increase in farm product sales by an additional $370 million annually.
The agreement represents a major milestone for U.S. farmers and ranchers, for whom Colombia is already an important market. In 2011, the United States exported more than $1.1 billion of agricultural, fish and forest products to Columbia. Top exports included wheat, cotton, corn and soybean oil.
Minnesota has benefited from other trade agreements over the years. For example, since the U.S.-Chile trade agreement entry into force in 2004, Minnesota's exports to Chile have grown by 280 percent. More information about the TPA can be found here. |
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Our mission is to enhance Minnesotans' quality of life by ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength of our agricultural economy.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
www.mda.state.mn.us
   
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How does the US-Korea FTA affect your business?
An exporter's guide to the historic U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will be presented tomorrow, May 22, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Gray Plant Mooty law offices in Minneapolis.
Featured speaker will be Eric Sohn, a U.S. Commerce Dept. official who specializes in U.S. trade relations with the Republic of Korea.
Walk-in registrations are welcome beginning at 9:30 am.
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Need export funding? Look no further...
Minnesota has received funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration's State Trade Export (STEP) Program that provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying companies for exporting their products or services.
STEP funds are available for first-time exporters or current exporters who want to expand to new international markets.
From now through September 1, 2012, eligible small businesses can apply for reimbursement of up to $5,000 for approved export development activities. For more info, visit the MN Trade Office. |
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NRA Show attracts tens of thousands!
"We had a great show again this year!" says Jim Compart
referring to the National Restaurant Association's Annual Trade Show in Chicago earlier this month. Compart's Family Farms along with Captain Ken's, Red River Valley Potatoes, Lettieri's, Rochester Meats, WW Johnson Meat Co. and Pure Market Express showcased their products in the Minnesota Pavilion at the show.
The NRA Show attracted tens of thousands of attendees and more than 1,800 exhibitors.
Compart says it was a great opportunity to make new contacts with prospective buyers.
"We made many new contacts, not only from the US, but this year we also had a lot of interest from Columbia, Panama, Aruba and Canada as well."
NRA 2013 is May 18-21. |
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Join us for the Americas Food Beverage Show in Miami!
MDA is considering hosting a small pavilion at the Americas Food and Beverage show September 24-25 in Miami. This show is co-sponsored by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
MDA Marketing Specialist Brian Erickson says this is the show to meet exporters, buyers and consolidators that work the Port of Miami.
"These are the people that serve the entire Caribbean Basin and Central and South America, including cruise lines and other tourism markets on these island nations," says Erickson. "It's an excellent place to show many different products, including meats and gourmet and specialty foods."
Please indicate your interest in exhibiting at this show ASAP as we will only host a pavilion if we hear from companies very soon.
For more information, contact Brian Erickson. |
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