2008 MDA Annual Report - Maryland Department of Agriculture

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |International Marketing and Trade DevelopmentThe International Marketing and Trade Developmentoffice’s mission is to increase export sales by Marylandagricultural producers and agribusinesses in orderto enhance their economic well being. The two person staffaccomplishes this by conducting outreach and educationalprograms, organizing and conducting trade promotion activitiesand facilitating participation by Maryland companies ininternational trade promotion events.International marketing activities focus on two areas: market accessand international policy and trade relationships. The priority areasfor market access activities are livestock, value-added foods andseafood. Activities ranged from researching new and developingmarkets, to designing and implementing missions and trade shows,hosting reverse trade missions, arranging one-on-one meetingswith buyers and Maryland agribusinesses, conducting seminars,and assisting companies with developing international marketstrategies. The staff worked with more than 250 agribusinesses inmore than 40 countries.Through international policy and export activities, staffparticipates in the development of export phytosanitary protocolsfor agricultural products going into new markets and preparesCertificates of Free Sale for Maryland businesses.Beyond the normal difficulties of international trade, suchas differences in language and business practices, exportingfood products, livestock and nursery products pose additionalchallenges because such products require phytosanitary certificatesand adherence to labeling standards. Program staff helps prepareMaryland’s agricultural processors, manufacturers, and farmersto be export ready, to develop niche markets that are competitivein the global market place and to pursue a results-oriented exportmarketing management program.Exporting agricultural products provides additional incometo farm families and is increasingly important for small- andmedium-sized farmers and agribusinesses. The USDA ForeignAgricultural Service reports that every $1 of product exportedgenerates another $1.62 for the economy in related economicactivity, such as transportation or packaging. It also reported thatemployees engaged in export businesses receive higher wages thantheir counterparts in non-export businesses.Diversification into profitable export markets can serve as a goodrisk management tool for U.S. farmers and can help keep domesticprices high. Exporting has become an increasingly importantpart of the maintenance of a profitable family-farm. The USDAoffers a number of incentive programs to encourage farmers andA Filipino delegation attending the Preakness during a visit to buy horses at the Fasig-Tipton sale in May is greeted by Agricultural Secretary Roger Richardson (rear left) and GovernorMartin O’Malley.22