Canadian Specialty Food Buyers Mission

International Marketing staff, in conjunction with MIATCO, hosted three food buyers from Canada and Kathy Boyce, of Faye Clack Marketing. The group traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 27 & 28, 2005. The Canadian buyers met one-on-one with Michigan specialty food companies to talk about potential opportunities for their products in the Canadian market. Michigan companies included:

• J.B. Dough Company
• Nature Select
• Freestone Pickle
• Maiden Mills
• Cherry Central
• Honee Bear Canning

Companies were also able to meet with Kathy Boyce, MIATCO’s in-market representative to learn more about the Canadian specialty foods marketplace.

Peter Assaly, Nature Select, discusses business opportunities with an importer from Montreal.

Michigan Exporter Database

The Michigan Department of Agriculture is offering a great opportunity for exporters of agricultural and value-added food items to gain free exposure to international buyers interested in Michigan products. Participating companies will have their profiles displayed the MDA’s Exporter Database, which is available online at the MDA International Web site (http://www.mdainternational.com). If you or someone you know would like to be added to the database, please send contact information to Jamie Zmitko-Somers by email at zmitkoj@michigan.gov or by fax at 517-335-0628.

Foodex Japan

Japan is Michigan’s second largest trading partner for agriculture products. Do not miss the opportunity to meet with over 92,000 trade-only visitors at the largest food and beverage trade show in Asia. The show serves not only the Japanese $600 billion food market but also other lucrative Asian markets. Foodex Japan will be held March 14-17, 2006.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture along with MIATCO will offer Food Show Plus! (FSP!) services at the Foodex Show. Services will include on-site interpreters, guided retail tours, a competitive products survey, and translation of company profiles.

Companies interested in obtaining a booth space or in signing up for FSP! services should contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-241-3628 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov as soon as possible.

Finding the Right International Market with Market Builder

Are you looking to explore a new international market but are not sure if your product would be a good fit? MIATCO’s Market Builder programs offer a cost-effective way to explore your product’s potential in many different markets. New markets being offered for the Market Builder include:

• Taiwan
• India
• Middle East
• China

Additional markets available include: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, SE Asia, United Kingdom, Central America, and Caribbean

Market Builder has two options: Market Scan and RepFinder.

Market Scan will help exporters save thousands of dollars in product research development by providing information on current retail prices for similar products, samples from competitors, and contact information of importers who currently import similar products. You will also receive feedback from importers in the market in terms of taste, labeling, and appearance. This service is available for only $400 per product, per market.

RepFinder will help you find qualified buyers and assist with setting up international sales meetings. The in-market representative will also assist with arranging appointments, providing interpreters, and accompanying you to meetings with importers. The RepFinder service is offered for just $500 per product, per market.

These programs can be purchased separately, or together in the Market Builder Package for the special price of $750. For more information, please contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers at 517-241-3628 or by email at zmitkoj@michigan.gov. Additional information is also available at www.miatco.org.

Wine America Holds Meeting in Michigan

WineAmerica, the U.S. Association of Wineries, with over 800 members, held its fall meeting in Traverse City, November 16-18, 2005. Agriculture Commissioner James Maitland, welcomed the group to Michigan, on behalf of MDA Director Mitch Irwin, at the opening reception sponsored by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council.

Conference attendees had the opportunity to taste wines from around Michigan, tour Old Mission Peninsula and conduct association business. Delegates from California, Texas, Missouri, New York, Washington, Oregon, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts and other states were very impressed with the quality of Michigan wines. State legislation in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in May was the major topic of discussion at the State Associations Council (SAC) meeting held November 18. Other topics of discussion included a national funding strategy for research on grapes and grape products, known as the National Grape and Wine Initiative, and the importance of gathering meaningful economic impact data on all wine producing states.

Agri-Tourism Advisory Commission Formed within Michigan Department of Agriculture

Senator Cameron Brown of Sturgis, Michigan, sponsored a bill to create an Agricultural Tourism Advisory Commission in the Michigan Department of Agriculture, with a two-year mandate to develop recommendations to the Legislature that would encourage growth of this industry. The commission, which held its first meeting on October 19, will study issues of zoning, signage and promotion. Anyone interested in the commission’s work should contact Jeanne Lipe at 517-373-9790.

Though not yet available, the agtourism website will be online by mid-February, 2006 at www.michigan.gov/agtourism.

Michigan Wines Consumer E-newsletter

The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council publishes a monthly consumer electronic newsletter with news from the industry and upcoming events open to the public. You may sign up for this newsletter at www.michiganwines.com.

Tax-Free Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zones

In 1997, Michigan became the first state in the nation to offer tax-free Renaissance Zones to help spur new jobs and investments. These designated areas are free from most state and local taxes for up to 15 years. So far, the innovative zones have proven quite successful and are credited with luring 128 companies to the state, as well as creating 3,663 new jobs and over $330 million in new investments.

However, the regular renaissance zones were not previously applicable to the Michigan food and agriculture industry, which struggled during the late 1990s, and early part of this decade. To help Michigan’s challenged agri-food sector, the Michigan State Legislature and Governor put a unique twist on the original Renaissance Zone, program with the creation of Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zones (APRZ) in 2000. Michigan’s agri-food sector employs over 1 million persons and is valued at $59.1 billion related to farming, agri-business, food processing, wholesale and retail stores.

The State Legislature and Governor expanded the number of zones in 2003 from the original 10 to 20. A total of 17 APRZs have been designated by November 15, 2005.These new APRZs are exempt from all state and local taxes just like the original Renaissance Zones for "qualified agriculture processors" who want to expand or begin processing operations in Michigan. The APRZs are designed to help utilize and transform Michigan's raw commodities into processed and value-added agriculture products, and improve markets and profitability for Michigan growers. The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) works closely with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and other partner local agencies to promote implement and administer APRZs. Overall, the food and agricultural processing companies have committed to creating 1,166 new jobs and $547.75 million in private investment within the 17 designated APRZs.

The Renaissance Zone Act is administered by the MEDC. For more information and administrative criteria, contact Shannon Crawford at 517-335-5810 or by email at CrawfordS@michigan.org. For more information on APRZs and MDA’s promotional and facilitating role, please contact Robert Craig, Director of MDA's Agriculture Development Division (AgD), at (517) 241-2178 or via e-mail at craigr@michigan.gov.

Harvesting Clean Agri-Energy Conference

The Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Quality, working with Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, and numerous agricultural associations, are developing Michigan’s first “Harvesting Clean Agri-Energy Conference.” This conference, slated for March 15, 2006, will link agricultural communities with energy opportunities for the good of our economy, the betterment of our environment, and the sustainability of our rural communities. Agenda topics will introduce and elaborate on bio-gas digesters, saving and generating dollars through renewable energies, and utilization of bio-fuels and bio-products. The goal is to form a cohesive Michigan agri-energy strategy, which will lead the agricultural industry to adopt energy efficient technologies, and management practices that reduce production costs, minimize negative environmental impacts, and improve economic sustainability. Watch for updated information on the Web at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops, and click on “Upcoming DEQ Workshops.” Registration Information Contact: Environmental Assistance Center, 800-662-9278, or email at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov. Information Contact: Terri Novak, Environmental Science and Services Division, 517-930-3170, or email at novaktl@michigan.gov.

International Promotion Calendar

Contact Information