December
2014

Issue
No. 12


Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our videos on YouTube  View our photos on flickr
Market Leader logo, December, 2013
Food Export
Meet Feed Ingredients Buyers in January
For the first time, Food Export Midwest offers a Value-Added Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission at the 2015 International Feed Expo. The event is part of the larger Poultry, Meat and Feed Expos, which are set for January 27-30, 2015 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. More than 25,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors are anticipated.

The Buyers Mission includes one-on-one meetings with eight importers from Brazil, China, Guatemala, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The meetings are scheduled during the expo in Atlanta, Georgia; January 27-29 and in Des Moines, Iowa; January 29-30. Contact Su Ye with questions, 651-201-6384 and register online here.
Exhibit at world's largest food show
The MDA is holding three booths for a small Minnesota Pavilion at the biennial Anuga food show in Cologne, Germany October 10-14, 2015. Minnesota food companies can secure this high-demand and valuable booth space at a 50 percent discount through the MDA.  Planning, marketing and other event support will be provided by the MDA.

In 2013, Anuga hosted 6,777 exhibitors from 98 countries.  More than 154,000 trade visitors from 187 countries toured the trade halls. For information on this event, contact Brian Erickson, 651-201-6539.
Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office
Commissioners host Taiwan embassy officials
Leaders from the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago, visited the MDA and met with Deputy Commissioner Jim Boerboom and Assistant Commissioner Matt Wohlman.

TECO's Deputy Director General, Andy Tseng; Director of Economic Division, Joseph Sun; and Consul Wayne Wang stopped in St. Paul on Monday, December 15. Minnesota and Taiwan are longtime trade partners and Taiwan is Minnesota's sixth top agricultural export market.

Please contact Su Ye to learn about Minnesota and Taiwan ag trade, 651-201-6384.
Add a description
SE Asia Agribusiness Trade Mission
The USDA Southeast Asia Agribusiness Trade Mission will provide first-hand market information, access to government decision makers, and one-on-one meetings with ag and food buyers and importers from Malaysia and the Philippines. The goal is to assist U.S. businesses positioning themselves to enter into or expand their presence in Southeast Asia.

Apply online here, or contact Su Ye at 651-201-6384 with questions.
We want your input on future Minnesota Pavilions 
The MDA helps Minnesota food companies exhibit at several national and international tradeshows annually through the Minnesota Pavilion program. We collect results from our attending companies at each event and base future show selections on those surveys, demand for booth space, and attention to different industry segments.

Future possibilities may include an airline supply event; an ingredient show (IFT); or a private labeling and co-packing event (PLMA). If you have ideas about events or segments we should explore, please contact Brian Erickson, 651-201-6539. 
Christina Connelly
Farewell and good luck
International Trade Representative, Christina Connelly, is leaving state service at the end of December.  Christina, a seven year MDA employee, made many significant contributions to Minnesota agriculture; supporting Minnesota food companies with her work promoting international trade. In addition to her tireless coordination and execution of export promotion events around the world, Christina represented the MDA on several boards. She also worked with councils, including, Food Export Midwest, District Export Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation, and U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Thankfully, Christina is not going far; she accepted a position as Trade Commissioner for Agriculture and Food at the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis. Christina will still be receiving emails on her state account this month if you'd like to wish her well in her new endeavor. The MDA will miss her and thanks her for all the significant contributions she's made during her time in St. Paul.

The MDA plans to hire a full-time International Trade Representative. In the interim, please direct international questions to Emily Jerve.
Thanks and good luck to the MDA's Food Export Intern
Ag Marketing and Development Intern, Chris Olson started at the MDA in June and will be wrapping up his internship this month. Chris was a key contributor to the Market Leader newsletter, assisted the marketing team in office and at events, and maintained and expanded marketing contacts in Minnesota.

Chris will be missed as he moves ahead to new adventures in agriculture, but the marketing team is thankful for his work and expertise in the restaurant industry. Good luck, Chris!
Looking Ahead

Event
Location
Date
Link
Winter Fancy Food ShowSan Francisco, CAJanuary 11-13
Minnesota Ag Expo
Mankato, MNJanuary 28-29
Gulfood
Dubai, UAE
February 8-12


Add a description
MDA in the news:
12/16/14 -
Candidates sought for four commodity councils...Full Story

12/8/14 -
Ag shipping discussion provides few answers...Full Story
Ag Trivia

Question:
What are some differences between real Minnesota Grown Christmas trees and fake trees?

Answer:
 
Words of the world:
Chinese: Hello = N�n hǎo (neen-how) 

Thanks for catching up with us on the latest import and export news from Minnesota to the world!  If you have any questions or suggestions to improve this newsletter please email me, thank you,

Michael Crusan
MDA Communications
Join Our Mailing List
Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter    View our videos on YouTube

View our photos on flickr
Minnesota Department of Agriculture

[email protected]
http://www.mda.state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's 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.