Our Past Events

Ecuador Buyers’ Mission for Cattle Genetics | Missouri

December 2-6, 2019

In December 2019, the Domestic and International Marketing Program hosted an Ecuador Buyers’ Mission focused on beef genetics. The customers were cattlemen who have two operations - one at lower elevation in the coastal plain and another at over 10,000 feet elevation. Their interests were in Beefmaster genetics for the lower elevation operation and Angus for the high elevation location.

Staff worked to arrange meetings with the following producers and organizations:

• ShowMe Genetics in Strafford
• Worthington Angus in Dadeville
• St. Clair Beefmasters in El Dorado Springs
• Square B Angus in Warsaw
• The American Angus Association in St. Joseph
• The National Center for Beef Excellence in Kansas City

Missouri producers were enthusiastic about showcasing their cattle genetics and building buyer connections. Sales from this mission are placed at $30,000 with another $30,000 in projected sales over the next 12 months. In addition, the visiting buyers became the first members of the American Angus Association in Ecuador.

The delegation greatly enjoyed their visit to Missouri and plans to return for follow-up visits to source more genetics on an annual basis. Beef producers in Ecuador are very interested in improving the quality of their cattle genetics, and Missouri seedstock producers are ideally positioned to support this effort.

Taiwan Buyers’ Mission for Pet Food | Missouri

November 18-22, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture hosted a Taiwanese animal nutrition company on a targeted pet food buyers’ mission November 18 – 22, 2019.

Meeting with pet food companies throughout the state, the group traveled to St. Louis, Columbia, Fayette, Carthage, Neosho and Kansas City for one-on-one meetings, site visits and retail tours. The group also met with leadership from the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Director’s Office and International and Domestic Marketing Program. This mission resulted in $1.2 million in projected sales, and new and deepened trade relationships between Missouri firms and the Taiwanese marketplace.

Mexico Buyers’ Mission for Beef Cattle & Genetics | Missouri

October 21-24, 2019

In May 2018, the Domestic and International Marketing Program facilitated a Mexico Buyers’ Mission Showcasing Missouri Cattle Genetics. The mission was a success, and since then, the program has facilitated four more Mexico Buyers’ Missions with the most recent one October 21 – 24, 2019.

Staff worked with contacts in Mexico to recruit five cattle producers from Mexico to participate in the buyers’ mission. The breeds of interest included Black Angus, Red Angus, Hereford and Brangus. Staff arranged tours with the following Missouri producers:

• Rogers Cattle Company in Strafford
• ShowMe Genetics in Strafford
• Worthington Angus in Dadeville
• Gleonda Angus in Miller
• Lacy’s Red Angus in Drexel
• Mead Farms in Versailles
• Reynolds Herefords in Huntsville
• Thomas Brangus Ranch in Madison

Each Missouri producer did an exceptional job showcasing their cattle genetics and building buyer connections. Overall, projected sales are estimated at $86,300 in live cattle and semen exports.

The delegation was grateful for Missouri’s hospitality and plans to return for follow-up visits to source more animals and genetics. We are excited about this new opportunity for our Missouri cattle producers to penetrate the market, and we cannot wait to see how additional missions in this sector aid in the success of future delegations.

Vietnam Buyers’ Mission for Forest Products | Missouri

October 13-19, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture hosted six Vietnamese customers for the Forest Products Buyers’ Mission October 13 – 19, 2019. The companies were wood traders and furniture manufacturers from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi interested in securing forest products spanning ash, black walnut, cherry, pine, red oak, white oak, yellow poplar, hard maple, soft maple and sycamore species. The group traveled across the state meeting with local businesses in Perryville, Altenburg, Frohna, Willow Springs, Raymondville, Neosho, Fayette, and Kirksville to look at product, network with business owners and place orders for trade. The group also met with the Missouri Forest Products Association and leadership from the Ag Business Development Division at the Department. As a result of this mission, Missouri companies expanded their global footprint and received $114,000 in actual sales and more than $2,000,000 in projected sales.

South Korea Buyers’ Mission for Retail & Food Service Products | Missouri

October 7-11, 2019

The International and Domestic Marketing team hosted a South Korean Buyers’ Mission to further develop Missouri’s food and beverage industry in Korea. As part of the mission, the team facilitated meetings and tours of Missouri agribusinesses across the state, planned networking opportunities and provided a framework for expanded export activity. The buyers were interested in finding suppliers of egg products, sunflower oils, processed pork, organic and health food for retailers, spices, sauces, corn flours and starches, GMO and gluten free grain products, nuts and meats. Built upon relationships developed through the USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Seoul, Korea, last November, preliminary results of this mission show prospective sales of $1,385,000 for Missouri companies. A big thanks to the following organizations that took part in this exciting opportunity: Shatto Milk, Primal Cry, Old World Spices & Seasonings, Swedish Bitters Herb Company, Northern Pecan Growers, Stratum Nutrition, LinkOne Ingredient Solutions, Hammons Products Company, Missouri Egg Council, Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Burgers’ Smokehouse, Pacific Supply Company, SEMO Milling, My Karuna Fulfill Food & Beverage, Food Ideas LLC and the Director of Agriculture.

Thailand Buyers’ Mission to Missouri Showcasing Missouri Cattle Genetics | Missouri

September 23-27, 2019

The Domestic and International Marketing Program welcomed a new trade sector specifically for Missouri’s cattle industry in September. We hosted the first Thailand Buyers’ Mission to Missouri Showcasing Missouri Cattle Genetics, September 23–27, 2019. During the week the delegation of seven Thai cattle producers traveled across the state to tour eight Missouri family-owned cattle farms. The team worked diligently to build a schedule that met each Thai buyers’ interest in the following breeds: Beefmaster, Charolais, Limousin and Brangus. By the time the schedule was complete, the mission tours included the following Missouri cattle farms:

• Pinegar Limousin
• Wallen Prairie Ranch Beefmasters
• C.R.I.B. Creek Beefmasters
• Jones Bros. Limousin Farm
• 8 Story Charolais Farms
• Hennegin’s Beefmasters
• Thomas Brangus Ranch
• Angell-Thomas Charolais

The overall success of the mission was incredibly positive. Each Missouri producer did an excellent job hosting the delegation and showcasing their cattle. In fact, our Missouri producers did so well that initial sales are projected to be $76,600 for live animal exports - a total of six bulls and 21 heifers. Our staff are working with the Missouri producers and the buyers to aid in follow-up process for the exportation efforts of these sales. The delegation was grateful for Missouri’s hospitality. They already have requested to come back in February 2020 for a tentative Missouri cattle genetics mission. We are excited about this new opportunity for our Missouri cattle producers to penetrate the market and we cannot wait to see how additional missions in this sector aid in the success of future delegations.

Turkey Buyers’ Mission for Forest Products | Missouri

July 24-26 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture hosted six Turkish buyers and one representative from USDA’s Foreign Ag Service Office in Istanbul, Turkey, July 24-26, 2019. They visited sawmills and log yards across the state in Fayette, Neosho, Willow Springs, Raymondville, Perryville and Frohna. The delegation was interested in Missouri’s lumber and log qualities, especially of the red oak, white oak, walnut, ash and tulipwood varieties. As a result of the mission, Missouri forest product suppliers were able to meet new buyers and make $366,000 in actual sales. Additionally, the Turkish buyers are expecting to purchase $812,000 over the next year.

Buyers' Mission in Conjunction with HomeGoods | St. Louis, Missouri

September 25-26, 2019

Our staff partnered with HomeGoods for a second event in September after we hosted successful meetings with Missouri food and beverage companies in June 2019. HomeGoods, a national retail outlet with more than 700 locations across the U.S., provide consumers with high-quality specialty foods and beverages, home furnishings, seasonal décor and much more.

Thirteen Missouri companies from our food and beverage industry were selected to meet with HomeGoods September 25 and 26. The buyers from HomeGoods met with 10 new companies who are current members of the Department’s Missouri Grown program and visited with three companies they met during the first event in June.

After initial surveys, the companies reported $440,447.80 in actual sales, and more than $909,623.40 in projected sales for 2020. Products from the companies that participated in the meetings are popping up on shelves at HomeGoods in Jefferson City, Missouri. We were also informed that even more products were seen displayed in stores on the east coast. Thanks to these one-on-one meetings, our companies are getting great national exposure to consumers across the U.S. We look forward to partnering with HomeGoods in the future to offer more wonderful opportunities to support Missouri agribusinesses.

29th Annual Taipei International Food Show | Taipei, Taiwan

June 19-22, 2019

The Taipei International Food Show attracts buyers from over 100 countries across the globe each year. This year, our staff provided companies with the opportunity to showcase their products at their 29th annual show in Taipei, Taiwan, June 19-22. The show brings together food and beverage companies to showcase their products over the course of four days. Our Taiwan Office Director, Hank Ma, and Office Manager, Phoebe Chen, hosted a booth at the trade show representing all of the Missouri companies that wanted to showcase their marketing materials. They networked directly with buyers from all over the world to make connections for Missouri companies who can’t physically make it out to the show each year. Reach out to us for more information on how you can participate in the 30th Taipei International Food Show. It will take place in Taipei, Taiwan, June 17-20, 2020. A total of eight Missouri companies sent products and promotional materials this year:

Buyers’ Mission in Conjunction with HomeGoods | St. Louis, Missouri

June 19-20, 2019

In spring 2019, our Staff connected with HomeGoods, a national retail outlet with more than 700 locations nationwide. HomeGoods is owned by TJX Companies Inc., which is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts. They provide consumers with high-quality specialty foods and beverages, home furnishings, seasonal décor and much more.

As a result of these connections, our staff successfully brought four buyers from the company’s headquarters to meet with 15 Missouri companies in St. Louis, June 19 and 20. HomeGoods was looking for fresh and innovative high-quality products to provide new inventory for various retail locations across the U.S. At the conclusion of this event, our Missouri companies successfully reported $127,884.04 in actual sales, and more than $325,000 in projected sales for 2020. Our team plans to host a second series of meetings September 25 and 26, 2019. The following companies participated:

NHLA Lumber Grading Short Course | Missouri

June 10-14, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture hosted a five-day lumber grading short course in conjunction with the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) June 10-14, 2019. The course was held in Fayette, Missouri at the Keller Building and Missouri-Pacific Lumber Company, which is a NHLA-certified sawmill. Of the 17 students that participated in the short course, 16 graduated with a certificate from NHLA. At the end of the five-day training, students were able to successfully grade hardwood lumber as well as be empowered to grow themselves and their businesses, increase market opportunities for their businesses and establish a more efficient production line in their workplaces.

Institute of Food Technologists Expo | New Orleans, Louisiana

June 2-3, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s membership with Food Export–Midwest allows for staff to have direct involvement to plan events benefiting Missouri companies in addition to all value-added food and beverage companies located throughout the Midwest. Food & Beverage Marketing Specialist Jennifer Kliethermes helped organize the Food Ingredient Buyers’ Mission at the 2019 Institute of Food Technologists Expo in New Orleans. Food Export–Midwest sponsored verified buyers from 13 countries to meet with 18 food ingredient suppliers during 25 minute one-on-one meetings. Suppliers from all across the Midwest had the chance to talk about their company and discuss preliminary sales opportunities. It was a cost-effective and beneficial way for buyers and suppliers to network on a global scale without the added cost of traveling out of the country.

LifeLine Foods, a Missouri manufacturing company from St. Joseph, participated in the buyers’ mission and met with seven international buyers. The company discussed the possibility of exporting ingredients such as corn flour, corn flour meal and masa flour.

Missouri’s Booth Sponsorship in the American Food Pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Show 2019 | Chicago, IL

May 18-21, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture provided a partial booth sponsorship to DogMaster Distillery and Missouri Ridge Distillery in the American Food Pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Show 2019 in Chicago May 18-21, 2019. The tradeshow is the largest foodservice marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, boasting over 60,000 food service professionals including 4,000 international representatives looking to capitalize on the latest food trends, new distributors and food enthusiasts. The North American State Departments of Agriculture launched the American Food Fair pavilion at the NRA show to support U.S. food and beverage industry.

DogMaster Distillery and Missouri Ridge Distillery exhibited in the pavilion and also participated in the Food Export Beer, Wine and Spirits Buyers’ Mission, where they were scheduled one-on-one meetings with verified buyers interested in their products. Preliminary results indicated participants met with over 500 potential buyers and project over $55,500 in international sales over the next year.

In addition to the two distilleries, Missouri Grown also exhibited at a booth showcasing 12 Missouri Grown members and displaying their products and marketing materials. Throughout the show, MDA staff collected over 60 leads for the Missouri Grown companies.

Danish Agriculture Tour | Missouri

May 2, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) welcomed the 2019 Danish Ag Study group to Missouri, selected by the Danish Agriculture Food Council, on May 2, 2019. To give a bit of background: members of the Danish Agriculture Food Council represent more than 186,000 people who work in Denmark’s 22.5 billion dollar agriculture industry. The group was comprised of 20 Danish agriculturalists, 16 of whom were young farmers, along with the Chairman of the Danish Agriculture Food Council and other council members.

MDA organized tours for the group to provide educational opportunities and an introduction to Missouri’s diverse agriculture industry. The tours began on May 2, with a visit to Scheer Dairy Farm, located in New Haven. The Scheers have milked cows for more than 100 years located on the same land they purchased back in 1897. Today, Scheer Dairy Farm is a progressive dairy operation using robotics to enhance efficiency and production. The Scheers milk purebred Holstein cows and recently introduced Jersey cows to the herd. The delegation had many questions about the robotics, genetics and technology behind the operation. The tour concluded with a visit to the heifer barn, which was a new asset to the dairy.

Following the visit to Scheer Dairy Farm, the group traveled to Auxvasse to tour Brinker Hog Farm, a farrow-to-wean operation owned and operated by the Brinker family. The family also grows approximately 4,200 acres of crops to supplement the operation. The group saw the technology and equipment used for production in motion, and received a first-hand look the hog operation.

The third and final stop of the tour was Moreland Farms, a former dairy operation turned row-crop and agritourism destination in Harrisonville. The Morelands are a multi-generation family of farmers raising 2,5000 acres of corn and soybeans, as well as cereal rye used as a cover crop. The Morelands also manage Red Barn Ranch, a pumpkin patch and agritourism destination to provide urban city dwellers with an educational introduction to day-today rural life on a working Missouri ag operation.

We would like to thank the farmers that donated their time and shared their expertise, insights and experience with the delegation at each stop. These farming families are truly the foundation of what makes these educational trips a robust cross-cultural learning experience.

Asia Buyers’ Mission for Food Ingredients | Missouri

April 7-12, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture organized an Asian Buyers’ Mission focused on the food ingredients sector. Six buyers from Taiwan, Vietnam and China attended the mission, with a particular interest in products ranging from dairy ingredients to nuts to protein concentrate. Staff worked in conjunction with industry experts to coordinate meetings, tours and networking activities in Missouri.

The mission started in Springfield with company tours and one-on-one business meetings with 11 different food ingredient companies. The mission continued to St. Louis, where the buyers were introduced to nine additional Missouri companies. Buyers also attended the Institute of Food Technologists’ St. Louis Suppliers Night where the buyers were able to connect with 77 food ingredient companies that were in attendance. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce graciously hosted a networking dinner to help foster connections and support international trade.

Preliminary results captured from surveys indicate over $1.3 million of potential sales and very positive relationships built as a result of the mission.

Missouri Agriculture Trade Mission to Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi, Vietnam

March 3-9, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) led a Missouri Agriculture Trade Mission to Vietnam March 3-9, 2019. To kick off the mission, USDA-FAS Ho Chi Minh City provided an in-country market briefing for the delegation on March 4th. For the remainder of the mission, the delegation was divided into two separate groups to attend meetings and tours.

The forestry delegation – Missouri Forest Products Association, Rustic Wood Products and Missouri-Pacific Lumber Company – visited 18 furniture and flooring manufacturers around the Ho Chi Minh City area as well as attended the VIFA Wood Expo to walk the show and have the chance to introduce themselves to 360 exhibitors. The Missouri companies primarily marketed walnut, white oak, red oak and yellow poplar hardwood lumber.

The food delegation –Pacific Supplies, Co. and US International Foods – met with 17 food-related companies in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. They focused on marketing food ingredients and food products.

The Missouri delegates were very pleased with the mission and their potential success in Vietnam. Surveys collected at the end of the mission indicate an aggregate total of over $98,000 in actual sales and $625,000 in expected sales within the next year.

International Production and Processing Expo | Atlanta, Georgia

February 12-14, 2019

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) provided a partial booth sponsorship to IsoNova Technologies, Riverside Rice, SCD Probiotics and Koechner MFG to attend the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia February 12-14, 2019. The (IPPE) attracts more than 7,000 international attendees and is the world’s largest annual poultry, meat and feed industry event of its kind.

The companies exhibited in the feed equipment and animal feed ingredient hall. In addition to meeting potential buyers at the booth, they participated in the Food Export–Midwest’s Value-Added Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission. This is a focused opportunity to match prospective buyers with the participant’s products, and companies receive a schedule of one-one-one meetings with four to six verified buyers. Surveys reported over $850,000 in actual sales and over $1.25 million in potential sales over the next year as a result of event participation.

Taiwan Buyers' Mission for Black Walnuts & Pecans | Missouri

October 21-23, 2018

Panama & Ecuador Buyers’ Mission for Livestock and Genetics | Missouri

October 1-5, 2018

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) hosted eight international cattle buyers to tour Missouri and Illinois farms October 1-5, 2018, with sponsorship from the U.S. Livestock Genetic Export Inc.

MDA and IDA recruited two producers from Ecuador and six producers from Panama. The buyers were interested in Beefmaster, Angus, Brangus and Hereford genetics. The purpose of the mission was to promote Missouri and Illinois cattle genetics, connect international buyers with Missouri and Illinois cattle producers, open new markets for Missouri and Illinois producers, reduce trade barriers and provide educational opportunities.

As the buyers traveled across the Show-Me State, they visited three Angus farms, three Beefmaster farms and a Brangus ranch. Each of the farms did an outstanding job showcasing their herd genetics. The opportunity to network face-to-face developed potential new buyer connections and sales opportunities. MDA and IDA are proud to have farm families that raise superior genetics and appreciate the willingness to open their farms up to share their farms and ranches with others.

MDA and IDA staff continue to asssist in the facilitation of trade logistics between the international buyers and producers. Surveys collected after the event anticipate a projected $148,076 in sales over the next year. This includes the total export of semen, heifers and bulls to Panama and Ecuador from Missouri and Illinois farms.

Midwest Buyers’ Mission | Kansas City, Missouri

July 30, 2018

The Midwest Buyers' Mission, facilitated by Food Export-Midwest, made a stop in Kansas City, Missouri this year from July 29-30. Food Export-Midwest and the Missouri Department of Agriculture worked together to host buyers from 17 countries including Antigua, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Panama, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. The buyers were interested in a variety of products ranging from bakery products to dairy, meat and pet food products. Of the 24 Midwest suppliers, nine of them were from Missouri.

In-Market Representatives from Canada, Costa Rica, Japan, the Middle East, Nicaragua and Panama also attended, and suppliers had the chance to ask questions about specific markets. Food Export Helpline Counselor Dennis Lynch and Export Advisor Gary Winget attended and offered advice to suppliers as well. These meetings provided an opportunity for Missouri suppliers to interact with verified buyers to discuss the prospect of future trade opportunities. In response to this event, Missouri companies gained international trade contacts and opportunities through one-on-one meetings with the buyers. Initial surveys after the event reported $794,000 in actual sales and $4,900,000 expected sales within the next year. Buyers' Missions are the most cost-efficient way for Missouri suppliers to meet with international buyers because they do not have to travel outside of the state. This also provides our international buyers the unique opportunity to network and experience first-hand, the diverse range of value added food and beverage companies that represent the Show-Me State.

Mexico Buyers’ Mission for Livestock & Genetics | Missouri

July 23-27, 2018

Due to the success of the May Mexico Buyers’ Mission, the Department hosted a second Mexico Buyers’ Mission Showcasing Missouri and Illinois Cattle Genetics in July. The mission focus was to promote Missouri and Illinois cattle genetics, build more relationships with Mexico producers and expand market potential for Missouri and Illinois producers. The buyers were interested in Beefmaster, Red Angus, Hereford, Charolaise and Brangus genetics. Missouri and Illinois staff worked together to plan farm visits in each state to met the criteria of Mexican buyers.

The mission kicked off on July 24 with three Missouri stops in Lockwood, Drexel and Lone Jack. The following day, the group drove east with three more stops across the central region of the state, gaining mileage and building valuable connections. Missouri producers opened their farms to show the buyers their way of life and resented an inside look at their best production practices. By the middle of the week, the group hit the road for “the Prairie State” to visit with various Illinois producers in Griggsville, Manchester and Pleasant Plains. Bruce Cluver, Vice President of Ag World International, accompanied the group and provided information regarding the exporting process from the United States to Mexico. As a result of the mission, Missouri live cattle and genetics sales totaled $12,050, and the success of the mission built valuable relationships at each and every stop along the way. Our team looks forward to supporting Missouri producers with more opportunities for building working relationships with countries like Mexico in the future.

Food Taipei | Taipei, Taiwan

June 27-30, 2018

The 28th Taipei International Food Show (FOOD TAIPEI) took place in Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from June 27-30 this year. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) organized the show that hosted buyers from more than 100 different countries. The MDA booth was just one of 2,197 booths during the show and more than eighty-four percent of the visitors were from Asia and the Middle East. The exhibitors showed a variety of products including prepared and canned foods, baking snacks and ingredients, ice cream, condiments, fresh and preserved fruits and vegetables, frozen prepared foods and more.

There were four Missouri companies that participated. Each of these companies provided product samples and/or marketing materials for the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s International & Domestic Marketing program to display at the sponsored booth. Our Taiwan Office Director Hank Ma and Office Manager Phoebe Chen dedicated their time to setting up the space to represent our Missouri companies in Taiwan.

Through this event, Missouri companies received international exposure to new trade opportunities through their networking efforts. At the conclusion of the show, Missouri companies received trade leads from the countries of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the U.A.E. Staff continue to assist the Missouri companies by providing each of them with copies of buyer profiles from the prospective international buyers.

Mexico Buyers’ Mission for Livestock and Genetics | Missouri

May 21-25, 2018

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) collaborated with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to host nine cattle producers from Mexico to promote Missouri and Illinois cattle genetics. The mission kicked off on May 21 and ended on May 25.

The buyers’ primary interests included finding new genetics to implement into their herds and identifying reproductive management tools to enhance their operations. Genetics of interest included Red Angus, Black Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Brangus and Beefmaster. MDA staff worked with David Hobbs, Journal Manager of American–International Charolais Association, to help organize farm stops in Missouri.

The mission kicked off in Springfield, Missouri with tours of five Missouri cattle operations. The delegation also toured three cattle operations and a semen collection facility in Illinois. On the last morning of the mission, the vice president of an export logistics company presented information on the exportation of live breeding cattle, semen and embryos. Preliminary results indicated a total of $13,100 in actual sales of live cattle and semen as a result of the mission.

Tasty Expo | Kansas City, Missouri

May 18-22, 2018

The Missouri Department of Agriculture sponsored 10 food and beverage companies at the Tasty Expo in Kansas City, Missouri. The Tasty Expo is the largest food and beverage experience in the Midwest, welcoming more than 20,000+ foodies. Visitors to the Tasty Expo sampled Missouri Grown products, heard each company’s unique story and watched their new favorite products incorporated directly into recipes.

These companies were among more than 200 vendors from across the country that had a chance to visit with many distributors and wholesale buyers. With a dual focus of business-to-business interaction and exposure to the public, the Tasty Expo created a unique experience for Missouri companies to share what sets them apart.

Toby Freeland, L’École Culinaire Program Director, created special recipes to feature the Missouri Grown members' products during two cooking demonstrations on stage.

Companies in attendance included:

1. Baetje Farms
2. Circle B Ranch
3. Daniel’s Bar-B-Q Sauce
4. Edgewood Creamery Cheese
5. Ellbee’s Gourmet Garlic Seasonings
6. Flavor Market
7. Freddie Lee’s American Gourmet Sauce
8. Hemme Brothers Creamery
9. Homegrown and Happy
10. Start Right Foods

Vietnam Buyers’ Mission | Missouri

May 7-11, 2018

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), with sponsorship and support from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, and Missouri Rice Council, hosted a Vietnam Buyers’ Mission to Missouri May 7-11, 2018. The eight Vietnamese companies, with a total of 13 business representatives, which participated in the mission were looking to purchase food ingredients/additives, feed ingredients/additives, dairy ingredients, corn, soybeans, soybean meal, wheat, rice, DDGS, nuts, beef, pork and poultry from Missouri suppliers. Meetings and tours were primarily arranged in Kansas City, Missouri May 7-8 and St. Louis, Missouri May 9-11. However, MDA also incorporated stops in all other regions of the state to showcase Missouri’s diverse agriculture systems.

The delegation was divided into three tour groups to allow buyers to connect with more Missouri suppliers and increase the educational value added to the mission. Surveys collected at the end of the mission indicated over $6 million in actual sales and projected sales of over $45 million within the next year. The buyers plan to purchase pork, beef, soybeans, soybean meal, corn, wheat, DDGS, black walnuts, pecans and food ingredients/additives. MDA staff will continue to follow up with buyers and Missouri suppliers over the next year and offer export assistance as needed. The Vietnamese buyers and Missouri suppliers also expressed interest in having a Missouri delegation travel to Vietnam to continue building relationships and business prospects, and the department is looking to coordinate a trip in February or March 2019.

Dubai International Wood & Wood Machinery Show | Dubai, United Arab Emirates

March 12-14, 2018

Continuing on from the Indiawood trade show, the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Forestry Marketing Specialist Kayla Otto traveled to the Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show in the United Arab Emirates as a representative for the Hardwood States Export Group (HSEG) for the purpose of assisting U.S. hardwood companies with accessing the growing global markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The UAE and surrounding countries have become important users of American hardwoods, and this show is an effective forum to meet current and potential buyers from the MENA region.

As the representatives for HSEG, Wayne Bender and Kayla Otto participated in the trade show to meet new and existing furniture, millwork and veneer manufacturers along with hardwood agents/importers from the MENA region. The Dubai World Trade Center hosted the show and attracted over 300 exhibitors from 108 countries. Bender and Otto collected 38 quality trade leads to share with HSEG members. These numbers reflect last year's statistics, but contacts significantly increased in the MENA region. This is especially true for Pakistan, which is one of the countries that has a strong hardwood lumber market that is making a slow but promising increase in demand. The AHEC pavilion hosted 15 U.S. companies as well as the HSEG booth. This show provided an excellent platform for introducing American temperate hardwoods to current and potential manufacturers from the MENA region.

International market conditions for American hardwoods in the MENA region significantly weakened in 2016 but saw a strong increase in 2017. This is due partly to the cyclical nature of the construction sector, fiscal tightening in the lower oil-price environment and strengthening of the U.S. dollar. However, Bender and Otto saw an increase in leads obtained for hardwood lumber (ash, white oak, red oak and walnut predominately) and many requests for southern yellow pine and white pine for Pakistan. Other than Indian buyers, there was not a strong interest in logs.

Indiawood | Bangalore, India

March 8-12, 2018

The Missouri and Georgia Department's of Agriculture represented the Hardwood States Export Group (HSEG), an organization charged with assisting U.S. hardwood companies in accessing the growing global markets in India, at the Indiawood trade show in Bangladore, India. This year there were seven U.S. hardwood companies exhibiting at the show with HSEG in the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) pavilion. The HSEG attendees, Dru Preston (Georgia) and Kayla Otto (Missouri), met with approximately 20 hardwood importers from various Indian cities at Indiawood 2018. Most of these buyers were furniture, flooring and plywood manufacturers with various agents/importers of hardwood lumber, veneer and logs from India, Oman, Vietnam and Belgium.

The Bangalore International Exhibition Centre opened its doors to more than 850 exhibitors from 40 countries. Preston and Otto, representing 14 hardwood producing states, participated in the trade show to meet new and existing furniture, millwork and veneer manufacturers along with hardwood agents/importers from India and other countries. The AHEC pavilion was an excellent platform to introduce American temperate hardwoods to current and potential manufacturers from India.

Lumber importers made up the majority of leads with veneer and log consumers in the remaining balance of inquiries. Most of the buyers were furniture and veneer manufacturers looking to purchase lumber to meet the demand for office and institutional furniture in the booming retail, real estate, hospitality and entertainment industries in India. The buyers were primarily interested in purchasing the following U.S. hardwood species: walnut, white ash, white oak, red oak, hard maple, soft maple, cherry and tulipwood.