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International Trade

Home to more than 60,000 farms, Indiana takes pride in its diverse and dynamic agricultural industry. Indiana’s capacity in this core segment of the state’s economy has led to our status as the eighth leading agricultural exporter in the nation, with exports of agricultural products more than doubling in the last decade to an estimated $4.6 billion in 2011. While Indiana’s top exported commodities include soybeans, corn, feeds and fodder and pork, our state’s versatility is evidenced through the export of goods ranging from spirits and sauces to furniture and farm animals. With the world population expected to exceed 9 billion people by the year 2050 and the fortunes of developing countries improving, future growth opportunities abroad will continue to arise for Indiana agriculture.

Expanding Indiana companies’ access to international markets is an important component of ISDA’s economic development strategy and one that pays great returns to the Indiana economy. Agricultural exports boost Indiana’s farm prices and income, and support an estimated 34,800 Hoosier jobs both on and off the farm in food processing, storage, and transportation. The U.S. agricultural industry is twice as reliant on export sales as any other sector of the economy, making access to global markets vital for Indiana’s continued agricultural success.

Governor Pence and Lt. Governor Ellspermann have tasked ISDA with ensuring that foreign markets remain open and with creating additional trade avenues for Indiana agricultural products. ISDA is committed to helping Indiana producers, processors, and packagers to leverage resources and grow their businesses through exports, working alongside both current and potential exporters to access educational and marketing services, financial assistance programs, and opportunities to meet foreign buyers.

Please peruse the resources below and contact Lindsay Beckman, ISDA’s International Trade Program Manager, for further information about how ISDA can assist you in the growing global marketplace.

Lindsay Beckman
International Trade Program Manager
Tel: 317-607-4127
Email: lbeckman@isda.in.gov

Food Export Association of the Midwest

The Food Export Association of the Midwest USA (formerly MIATCO) is a non-profit organization created in 1969 as a cooperative effort between 12 Midwestern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Food Export uses federal, state, and industry resources to help grow the export of Midwestern food and agricultural products, offering a variety of educational, financial, and promotional services through Market Access Program (MAP) funding.

Take a look at the tools for small or medium-sized value added food companies listed below, which range from those for new-to-export companies to experienced exporters, to expand your international outreach.

Export Essentials Online
Wondering where to start? Export Essentials Online offers an educational introduction to help companies determine their export readiness, research and target their top markets, and even create an export marketing strategy.

Food Export Helpline
Whether you’re new to exporting or you have been exporting for years, there are always specific issues and questions that are unique to your company, products, and export markets. The Food Export Helpline™ is a complimentary service that provides one-on-one assistance on a wide variety of export-related topics, with insightful export advice customized specifically for you

Seminars & Webinars
Food Export - Midwest offers seminars and webinars on a variety of export related topics throughout the year. Topics range from the fundamentals of exporting to strategies on entering new markets.

Market Builder
Finding the right market and buyer for your product is the key to exporting success! Exporters who are looking to secure their product in an international market, find new distributors or importers, or receive valuable feedback about their product can take advantage of Food Export’s Market Builder service.

Buyers Missions
Food Export - Midwest provides opportunities for U.S. companies to meet foreign buyers without traveling overseas. Buyers are brought in from Food Export’s target markets to participate in one-on-one meetings with U.S. processed food companies. Buyers offer a wealth of information about their markets and potential opportunities for your products during the meetings.

Food Show PLUS!
Food Show PLUS!™ assists U.S. exhibitors at key international tradeshows. This program is designed to maximize your potential with developing leads and sales from the show.

Focused Trade Missions
Food Export – Midwest offers the opportunity to participate in Focused Trade Missions throughout the year. This service offers U.S. companies both a sales opportunity and an educational experience, with the opportunity to learn first-hand about the market and meet face-to-face with local buyers.

Online Product Catalog
This web-based catalog is an effective way to promote your products to international buyers from around the world. By including your products in this virtual directory, buyers will easily be able to locate your company when searching by product, company name, or other criteria. 

Branded Program
Food Export - Midwest’s Branded Program is a cost-share funding program that supports the promotion of branded and private label food and agricultural products in foreign markets. Participant companies receive 50% cost reimbursement for a wide variety of eligible international marketing and promotional activities.

Additional Resources

Agricultural Export Organizations

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