Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the U.S. With such ample agricultural and food resources, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development wants to highlight the importance and benefits of food and agriculture exports and how they can help you grow your businesses.
Export is essential to Michigan’s economy, international image, companies’ profits, and knowledge attainment. With 95% buyers exist outside of the U.S., it is a big loss to ignore those international opportunities. Many people assume that exporting require high capacity and lengthy process, but actually most exported companies in Michigan are small or medium sized company. In return, the sales generated in the international market and branding building brings intangible long-term benefits to farmers and businesses in Michigan. In addition to generating sales, exporting is a great opportunity to restructure and grow your company’s management skills. Exporting adds to the knowledge and skills of everyone in a company who does it, and the experience of forming new relationships, getting up close and personal with another culture, figuring out how to meet the needs of others, and learning how to be inventive in addressing new business challenges not only is personally rewarding; it also leads to improvements in products and makes companies stronger in whatever market they compete. Through communicating with international buyers, you obtain new skills and global vision, which is critical in a globalized world both as an individual and as a company. Many companies have reported that after attending a trade show and involving in international business, they become a better person and able to think more broadly and make foreign friends. Going global challenges your status quo and help you discover your business and yourself more than ever. We need to take that step outside ourselves and develop relationships and open doors. Exporting makes your business more diverse and interesting, and discover new opportunities you may never aware before.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing team has ample resources to support your export activities, whether it is your first time exporting or already have some experience in exports. In the fiscal year of 2017, we hosted numerous trade shows and trade missions that allow Michigan companies to exhibit their products and connect with buyers. We also hosted the first ever Michigan Food and Agriculture trade mission to China. This event included Michigan companies traveling to China to participate in trade events that increased their export opportunities. In addition, we hosted trade missions to Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Canada that provided Michigan companies the opportunities to meet one-on-one with buyers and learn firsthand about overseas market insights. Along with trade shows and trade missions, we work with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders to facilitate food processing facilities, infrastructure building, and foster a sustainable supply chain. Those efforts were achieved through database development, financial resources support, and partnership building such as Michigan small business initiative. Through our efforts, we are able to create significant jobs and attract investments for food and agriculture businesses in Michigan.
In celebrating our achievements, MDARD welcomes a new year of many new hopes and new excitements. Life is all about challenging yourself and thinking outside of the box. Why not taking the opportunities to make a change and go global? Whatever assistance you need, they are there to help you.
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