MI: MDA & FOOD EXPORT-MIDWEST OFFER INTERNATIONAL MARKETING HELP FOR PRODUCERS

News Date December 08, 2009

The Food Export Association of the Midwest USA (Food Export-Midwest) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced the launch of the 2010 Branded Program year. In today's adverse financial climate, this program offers Michigan producers the ability to double their international marketing budgets and reach new markets and consumers. Made possible through the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, this cost-share service assists small and medium Michigan suppliers with brand promotion internationally.

In the recent USDA Agricultural Trade Update report, Michigan's agricultural exports generated more than $1.68 billion and supported over 19,000 jobs. Total U.S. agriculture exports topped $115 billion in 2008, compared to $89.9 billion the year prior.  Exports are critical to Michigan's $71.3 billion a year industry with the state exporting about one-third of its 200 agricultural commodities each year.

Once approved for the Branded Program, participants receive up to 50 percent cost reimbursement for eligible international marketing expenses such as attending approved tradeshows, foreign market advertising, public relations, in-store promotions, product demonstrations, product literature, sample freight costs, and packaging and label modification required for export.

The program applies to these and other international marketing expenses incurred from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. In the 2008 program year alone, over $7 million in reimbursements was made available to Midwest Branded Program participants. Producers should act quickly as funds are allocated on a rolling basis and in order to be approved for January expenses, you must be accepted by the end of this year.

Food Export-Midwest is a private, non-profit association of Midwestern state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of Midwestern food and agricultural products.  (Contact: Heather Throne, throneh@michigan.gov)