HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania food suppliers may gain greater access to foreign markets thanks to a three-day marketing forum held in Philadelphia, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
The Food Export Marketing Forum, held April 27-29, was sponsored by Food Export USA’s Northeast and Midwest divisions, a non profit trade association that represents 22 state departments of agriculture, including Pennsylvania’s.
“With international food demand growing more than twice as fast as domestic demand, there is tremendous potential in overseas markets for Pennsylvania food products,” said Wolff.
“Partnerships with organizations like Food Export USA are critical in helping our suppliers tap into these markets, ensuring they can remain competitive, increase profitability and grow our state’s economy.”
Network
The forum allowed more than 50 companies from across the nation to network with national and international trade experts; showcase their products; attend educational seminars and participate in a buyer’s mission, which featured one-on-one business meetings with qualified importers.
More than 1,000 buyer-seller meetings took place throughout the forum. The department’s Bureau of Market Development, which is responsible for the domestic and worldwide promotion and marketing of Pennsylvania agribusiness products and services, helped bring local companies to the forum.
PA Preferred
Some of the Pennsylvania suppliers who participated in the forum are PA Preferred members. The PA Preferred branding program was launched in January 2004 by Gov. Edward G. Rendell to help market state-sourced food products and goods manufactured and processed in the state.
More than 2,000 members have enrolled to date.
More information
For more information on the PA Preferred program, including a list of members, visit www.papreferred.com or contact Joanna Gresham at 717-772-3094.
For more information on the forum or the department’s international marketing services contact Dale Good at 717-705-2261.
