MDARD Director to Lead New Crop of Agribusiness Exporters to China
For immediate release: June 30, 2017
Media contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725
LANSING – Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams will lead another group of ambitious Michigan agribusinesses on a trade mission to Hangzhou and Shanghai, China, November 6-8, 2017. The mission will include one-on-one meetings with vetted buyers, retail tours, and briefings with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials.
“I am very excited to lead another group of incredible Michigan agribusinesses to China,” said Clover Adams. “China’s middle class continues to grow, as do the e-commerce opportunities, which provides enormous potential for many Michigan food and agriculture companies.”
In 2015, Michigan food and agriculture exports to China totaled more than $71 million.
“Traveling to China provides companies an opportunity to see firsthand the market potential and to meet face to face with key buyers,” stated Jamie Zmitko-Somers, manager of MDARD’s International Marketing Program.
Companies participating in the 2016 trade mission projected a total sales increase of nearly $1 million within 6-12 months as a direct result of participating in the trade mission.
For companies also interested in pursuing the South Korean market, MDARD’s partner Food Export Midwest will conduct a trade mission to the country November 9-10, 2017. The convenient timing of the two missions will allow participating organizations to take full advantage of their time in the region by reaching many different markets in a single trip.
The cost to participate in the MDARD China trade mission is $1,000. The application deadline is August 23, and the mission is limited to 12 companies. Companies are responsible for travel, hotel and incidental costs. The trade mission to South Korea has a separate participation fee of $600. Contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-284-5738 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov for more information. Additional information about the China and South Korea trade missions is also available at www.michigan.gov/ChinaTM and https://goo.gl/Kauqwc.
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