Global Food Marketer™
Educating & Enriching News of Global Food Markets
Food Export offers assistance for Northeast and Midwest suppliers
By Paul Weiss, Liaison Manager
The 3 Tracks to Growing Globally in 2025
In an increasingly interconnected world, the global potential for U.S. food and agricultural products is more promising than ever. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast envision a future where small- and medium-sized businesses in our regions thrive in the global marketplace.
Food Export aims to maximize the success of U.S. suppliers through programs and services in three tracks: Exporter Education, Market Entry, and Market Promotion. These programs enable new and established suppliers to pursue international market opportunities and fuel long-term growth.
Exporter Education: Build Your Expertise
The right education and preparation are essential for success in international trade. Food Export’s Exporter Education program is designed to enhance the expertise of U.S. suppliers, build their exporting readiness, and help produce greater results in the global marketplace.
Built for all experience levels, the Exporter Education track offers customized assistance, online learning, and hands-on training on the fundamentals of exporting. This ranges from free webinars to tailored insights from Food Export’s export advisors, all designed to equip U.S. companies with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed abroad. These resources cover a wide array
Food Export offers assistance (cont.)
of topics, including export regulations, market entry strategies, and best practices for international marketing.
Regardless of where suppliers are on their exporting journey, Food Export helps businesses hone their export goals and navigate the complexities and marketspecific regulations that come with international trade. By empowering businesses with the right tools and knowledge, Food Export helps them pave the way for their success abroad.
Market Entry: Unlock New Opportunities
Identifying and entering new international markets can be daunting. That’s where Food Export’s Market Entry services come into play. Focusing on exposure, consultations, and connections, they simplify the process of finding the right markets and reaching potential buyers. Events can be found at: www.foodexport.org/events
Key Offerings:
• Buyers Missions: Suppliers can meet pre-screened, qualified international buyers right here in the U.S. With more than 20 organized events annually, Buyers Missions are Food Export’s most popular in-person events because they are a low-cost way to explore new export markets.
• Focused Trade Missions: Experience total market immersion by traveling to international markets and meeting with key interested importers. There’s no better way to understand the local food industry landscape, assess the competition, and learn about the potential promotion of your products.
• Food Show PLUS!™: Food Show PLUS!™ enhances suppliers’ trade show experience with introductions to qualified buyers, in-market briefings, on-site assistance, self-guided retail tours, and post-show lead qualifications. Food Show PLUS!™ provides the right resources to help suppliers with targeted market knowledge and access to international buyers.
• Market Builder: Exporters looking to find new distributors or importers should take advantage of Market Builder. This one-of-a-kind program offers custom packages designed to each exporter’s needs and provides valuable expert feedback about their product’s potential in new international markets within all industry segments.
• Virtual Consultations: Virtual Consultations are an ideal tool to tap into the expertise of Food Export’s network of In-Market Representatives. These 30-minute one-on-one video consultations help U.S. suppliers explore questions related to export plans, market expansion, and in-market distribution.
• Trade Leads: Over 850 Midwest and Northeast companies are receiving qualified buyer leads for free. Your business can, too! Food Export’s network of In-Market Representatives and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) offices meet with qualified buyers throughout the year and provide leads to Food Export. Suppliers can upload their product information to receive 24/7 exposure to potential international buyers.
• U.S. Foodlink: Gain new international contacts and sales free of cost without travel or expenses. U.S. Foodlink is published bimonthly and distributed globally to the USDA FAS overseas offices, importers, and buyers. This feature is a complimentary opportunity to enhance U.S. suppliers’ international marketing efforts and product exposure.
Market Promotion: Double Your International Marketing Budget
Establishing a strong international presence is vital for long-term success for U.S. Exporters. Our Market Promotion track, the Branded Program, helps suppliers maximize their international marketing efforts.
The Branded Program helps new and seasoned exporters tap into funding provided by the USDA FAS for up to 50% reimbursement of approved international marketing and promotional activities. Qualified companies can request reimbursement funding from $2,500 to $300,000 per year and can continue to apply for funding for existing and new export markets annually.
Your Connection to Growth
With the launch of the 2025 Program Year, Food ExportMidwest and Food Export-Northeast are poised to help U.S. food and agricultural companies take their products to new heights in the global marketplace. Through a combination of strategic events, anticipated expanded funding, and robust educational resources, Food Export is empowering U.S. companies to achieve exporting success.
U.S. companies interested in exporting their products can begin by exploring the extensive resources on Food Export’s website. Whether through participating in an event or taking advantage of educational resources, Food
Export provides a comprehensive support system to help companies navigate the complexities of international trade. Food Export also recently announced the release of a new Program Booklet, an extensive digital library of the services offered for each of their three Program tracks. Click here to access the booklet.
To learn more about becoming a supplier or registering for upcoming 2025 events, visit foodexport.org or email info@foodexport.org.
Success Stories
INCREASED EXPORT TO CANADA FOR NONDAIRY MILK PRODUCTS FROM NEW YORK
Elmhurst 1925 has redefined its path in the beverage industry, pivoting from a traditional dairy company to a leader in the plant-based category. Leveraging Food Export’s Branded Program, the company, expanded its international reach, introducing its innovative oat and nut-based beverages to new markets. Learn more about their journey.
INDIANA SUPPLIER TAKES ADVANTAGE OF FOOD SHOW PLUS! TO ENSURE SALES IN DUBAI
Scout & Zoe’s Premium Pet Products recently participated in Food Export-Midwest’s Food Show PLUS! at Pet Festival Dubai, securing a distributor in the UAE and projecting sales to exceed $45,000 within the next year. Learn more about how this woman-owned company is achieving export success here.
Prepared/Preserved Seafood
Vietnam
2nd in ASEAN
for import values from the U.S.
$632 million
total U.S. exports of processed foods to Vietnam in 2023
104.7 million
total population in 2023
Prepared/Preserved
Food Preparations & Ingredients
Food Preparations
Processed Vegetables &
Prepared/Preserved Meats
Prepared/Preserved
Prepared/Preserved Seafood
Processed/Prepared Dairy Products
Processed/Prepared
Food Preparations & Ingredients
Alcoholic Beverages
Prepared/Preserved Seafood
Prepared/Preserved Meats
TOP 2023 PROCESSED FOOD EXPORTS TO VIETNAM
Syrups & Sweeteners
Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Food Preparations & Ingredients
Fats & Oils
Processed/Prepared Dairy
Non-Alcoholic
Processed Vegetables
Alcoholic Beverages
Prepared/Preserved Meats
Fats & Oils
Syrups and Sweeteners
Processed
Prepared/Preserved
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Processed/Prepared Dairy Products
& Pulses Snack Foods
Fats & Oils
Alcoholic Beverages
Learn more in our full Vietnam Market Profile.
Snack Foods
UPCOMING EVENT IN VIETNAM
Prepared/Preserved
Condiments, Sauces, Jams & Jellies
Food Preparations &
Syrups and Sweeteners
Food Preparations
Prepared/Preserved
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
‣ Focused Trade Mission to Vietnam for Food Ingredients, Retail, and Food Service
April 2-3, 2025 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Chocolate & Confectionery
Final Registration Deadline: January 24, 2025.
Fats & Oils
Condiments, Sauces, Jams
Snack Foods
Prepared/Preserved
Processed/Prepared
Syrups and Condiments, Snack Foods Chocolate
Prepared/Preserved
Prepared/Preserved
Processed/Prepared
Processed/Prepared
Prepared/Preserved Meats
Prepared/Preserved
TOP U.S. PROCESSED FOOD EXPORTS TO EGYPT IN 2023
Condiments, Sauces, Jams
Processed/Prepared Dairy Products
Food Preparations & Ingredients
Largest U.S. export market
for processed foods in North Africa
$211 million in exports of consumer-oriented products in 2022
109.5 Million Egypt’s population in 2023
Processed/ Prepared Dairy Products Food Preparations and Ingredients
Snack Foods
Syrups and Sweeteners
Alcoholic Beverages Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Prepared/Preserved Meats
Condiments,
Processed/Prepared
Chocolate & Confectionery Dairy Products
Fats & Oils
Learn more about the Egyptian Market in our full Market Profile.
Oilseeds
Syrups and Sweeteners
UPCOMING EVENT IN EGYPT
‣ Focused Trade Mission to Egypt for Value-Added Wood Products 2025 November 16-20, 2025
Condiments, Sauces, Jams & Jellies
Seafood and Aquatic Food
Snack Foods
Alcoholic Beverages Non-Alcoholic Beverages Fats & Oils
Program Guide
The 3 Tracks to Export Growth
Our three program categories enable new and established suppliers to pursue international market opportunities and fuel long-term growth.
Exporter Education Exporter Education
Enhance your export expertise with ongoing education programs for all experience levels.
Market Entry Market Entry
Identify opportunities in international markets and meet potential buyers.
Promotion Market Promotion
Strengthen your international presence through the Branded Program.
Exporter Education
Food Export's webinars provide up-to-date exporter intelligence for companies looking to grow their export business. Our on-demand on line training gives you the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
Topics include:
• Buyers Meetings & Market Research
• Trade Agreements
• Pricing & Payments
• Shipping & Export Documentation
• Region & Industry Insights
• Branded Program Training
Upcoming Webinars
Upcoming Webinars hosted by Dennis Lynch
‣ International Shipping and Logistics January 8, 2025
‣ Why Export? From the Mid-2000’S Global Business Initiative January 22, 2025
‣ Compliance Counts: Navigating Food Export Regulations February 5, 2025
‣ From Factory Floor to Sales Floor at Destination: Export Price Escalation in Practice February 19, 2025
‣ Export Documentary Payments and Collections March 5, 2025
‣ How To: Prepare to Meet International Buyers March 19, 2025
‣ Agricultural Export Forecast 2025 April 2, 2025
‣ The Product Registration Process in New Markets April 23, 2025
DENNIS LYNCH, EXPORT EDUCATION
COORDINATOR
Dennis Lynch, M.I.B.A., is a 40-year veteran of international trade who has held a variety of positions in the public and private sectors. He has been directly involved in monitoring, troubleshooting and facilitating export transactions for more than 32 years. Dennis managed the Food Export Helpline™ desk for 25 years, since its inception back in 1997. During that time, he has counseled nearly 4,000 U.S. suppliers of food and agricultural products with customized one-on-one technical export experience.
He has led the majority of the Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast seminars and webinars over the last few decades, as well as contributed hundreds of articles to the Global Food Marketer Newsletter and the e-Bulletin. He was awarded a master’s degree in International Business by West Coast University in California and has won numerous awards for the instruction of international business to various Southern California Colleges at all levels.
Global Food Marketer™
FOOD EXPORT ASSOCIATION OF THE MIDWEST USA® AND FOOD EXPORT USA®–NORTHEAST
We are non-profit organizations comprised of state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of Midwestern and Northeastern food and agricultural products.
Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast administer many services through Market Access Program (MAP) funding from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the USDA.
Brendan Wilson
Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
Michelle Rogowski
Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director
Laura England
Chief Communications Officer/Deputy Director
Teresa Miller
Chief Program & Partnership Officer
Gina Donio
Marketing & Communications Manager
FOOD EXPORT ASSOCIATION OF THE MIDWEST (FOOD EXPORT–MIDWEST)
309 W. Washington St., Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60606 USA tel: 312.334.9200 • www.foodexport.org
FOOD EXPORT USA–NORTHEAST (FOOD EXPORT–NORTHEAST) One Penn Center, 1617 JFK Blvd. , Suite 420 Philadelphia, PA 19103 USA tel: 215.829.9111 • www.foodexport.org
Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast administer many services through Market Access Program (MAP) funding from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the USDA. Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or alternate means of communication of program information should contact us. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast prohibit discrimination in all their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior
