The North Dakota Department of Agriculture
& Food Export Midwest

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) is one of the 12 state agriculture departments that are members of the Food Export Association of the Midwest – USA (Food Export Midwest), a non-profit association that helps companies promote Midwestern food and agricultural products in international markets.

Three other groups, Food Export USA Northeast, the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), and the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) provide similar services for companies based or sourcing products in other regions of the U.S.

Food Export Midwest offers a variety of exporter education, market entry and market promotion programs specifically tailored for small to medium sized food and agriculture companies in the Midwest. The following is a list of the programs available to you:

• Food Export Helpline


• Trade Lead Connector – FREE service


• AgExport Links – FREE service


• Export Essentials Online


• Market Builder Program


• Branded Program


• Food Show PLUS! 2008


• Buyer’s Missions 2008


• Focused Trade Missions 2008


• 2008 International Activities Calendar

Food Export Helpline

Are you new to exporting and need help figuring out where to start? Are you stuck on an exporting question and just need someone to help point you in the right direction? Ever needed one-on-one export assistance but didn't know where to turn?

This unique and FREE Food Export Association service provides Midwestern companies with customized, one-on-one assistance on a wide variety of export-related topics. Whether you have a quick question about exporting or need long-term assistance, Food Export Association's Food Export Helpline can be of service! For enrolling in this free service, our counselor can also conduct a top 25 market report for you product!

To enroll for FREE, visit http://foodexport.org/us_food/services/index.htm and click on Food Export Helpline to complete the participation agreement and get the assistance you need!

Trade Lead Connector

A free service of Food Export Midwest, Trade Lead Connector provides trade leads from around the world, delivered by email. To sign up for Trade Lead Connector, visit the website below and complete the participation agreement.

To sign up to receive FREE trade leads through this program, please email ssinner@nd.gov for a participation agreement.

AgExport Links

AgExport Links^sm is a free, searchable database that puts exporters, or potential exporters, in direct contact with service companies specializing in agricultural exporting. Some examples of companies included in the database are trading companies, shipper associations, export marketing companies, freight forwarders, international bankers and lawyers, trade associations and export brokers.

To search the database or to register a company as a service provider, please visit: http://www.agexportlinks.org/.

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Export Essentials Online

This is an online, export-training program. The 10-module format allows participants to learn the basics of exporting at their own pace.

The modules include:

• Exploring Export Options
• Market Research
• The Export Marketing Mix
• Strategic Planning
• International Marketing Activities
• Pricing, Quoting & Terms of Sale
• Logistics & Physical Distribution
• Documentation & Procedures
• Payment Methods & Strategies
• Exporting - A Business of Details

Modules can be purchased individually for $20 or purchase all 10 modules for $90. One person from a company can enroll for free. For more information, please call (701)239-7211.

Market Builder Program

Finding the right market for a product is the key to exporting success. Exporters can use Market Builder to find new distributors or importers, and receive valuable feedback about their product. The program offers packages tailored to an exporter's needs and wants.

Market Builder has two components:

Market Scan provides exporters with current retail prices for similar products, competitors' product information, and feedback from importers about their product's packaging, taste, appearance and labeling. Market Scan also provides a list of potential importers with complete contact information. Market Scan services include:

• Store Check & Distribution Analysis
• Competitive Product Shopping
• Importation Analysis
• Distributor Referrals
• Target Importer List

Rep Finder investigates the product's reputation with importers and distributors in a foreign country. By providing feedback on a product's marketability and a list of potential importers, an exporter can better decide whether to visit the country and meet one-on-one with the referrals.  Rep Finder will set appointments with targeted importers, provide interpreters if necessary, and accompany the U.S. exporter to meetings. Service includes:

• Distributor Referrals
• Target Importer List
• In-Marker Assistance

Market Scan costs $400 and Rep Finder costs $500. Market Scan and Rep Finder can be purchased together for $750.

For more information, visit the website and click on Market Builder for details or call (701)239-7211:

http://www.foodexport.org/us_food/services/index.htm

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Branded Program

The Branded Program supports the promotion of branded and private label food and agricultural products in foreign markets. Participating companies receive 50 percent cost reimbursement for a wide variety of eligible international marketing and promotional activities, including:

• Advertising and public relations
• Trade and consumer product demonstrations
• In-store and food service promotions
• Eligible expenses at overseas trade shows (exhibiting fees, rental and set-up costs, freight, etc.)
• Product literature and point-of-sale materials
• Exhibiting fees at approved domestic trade shows (first-time exhibitors only)
• Package and label redevelopment (if the change was necessary to meet foreign importing requirements).
• Freight costs for samples

For more details visit www.brandedprogram.org.

Food Show PLUS! ^sm

Food Export Association’s Food Show PLUS! service provides exhibitors and attendees of international trade shows with the information and in-market support they need to be a more prepared and effective exhibitor.

All assistance is provided by in-country representatives who are knowledgeable about the country’s food industry and can help companies take full advantage of their trade show participation.

Some of the services that may be offered at different trade shows include:

• Translation of your company' s profile into the local language and/or on-site interpretation at your company' s booth (as needed)
• Feedback about your product' s export potential before the show, including a customized shelf survey of similar/like products in the local market
• Facilitated matchmaker meetings with pre-qualified buyers (not available at all shows)
• Consultations with Food Export Association's in-market representative
• Site visits to local retail outlets or food manufacturing plants
• Follow-up assistance after the show, including detailed background checks for top leads.

To find international trade shows that Food Show PLUS is offered at, please view the current Activity Calendar .

Buyer’s Missions

Buyers Missions give exporters the opportunity to meet with international buyers without leaving the Midwest and without the expense of traveling overseas.

Participating in Buyers Missions gives exporters:

• Live feedback about a product’s export potential.
• Information on how business is conducted in foreign markets.
• Accessible, easy-to-understand market research.
• Relationships with key industry buyers – the first step to making an export sale.

For a complete listing of Buyers Missions planned for the year, visit http://foodexport.org/us_food/events_calendar/index.htm

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ND Dept of Agriculture International Newsletters

Food Export Association of the Midwest – USA

2008 Food Export Alliance Activities

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