2008 PRESS RELEASES
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August 6, 2008
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES INVITES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686
The global export market is expanding dramatically, and many Virginia companies are marketing their agricultural products overseas. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) offers producers opportunities to export their products around the world through partnership with the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA). Upcoming trade shows include:
Global Turf Trade Mission Panama, 2008, Panama City, November 10 – 14, 2008 – In 2006, Panama had a GDP of $15 billion, 80 percent of which was based in service sectors like tourism, the Panama Canal and container ports. The first three months of 2007 saw a GDP growth rate of 9.4 percent, up from 8.1 percent in 2006. Of Panama’s $4.8 billion in imports, 26.8 percent came from the United States. In 2006 U.S. exports to Panama were $2.7 billion, and 2007 saw an increase to $1.67 billion during the first six months. The rapid growth of tourism has created a demand for turf.
- Participation fee: $400 which covers flight, consultant evaluation of product, in-country travel and translation.
- Featured products: turf grass, turf grass seed, foliage.
- Pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with tourist resorts and golf courses.
- Registration deadline: August 15, 2008.
International Food Products Exhibition Turkey 2008, Istanbul, November 5-8, 2008 – The Turkish economy has enjoyed five years of growth. Fifty percent of Turkey’s 72 million population is under age 25, fueling a taste for a growing variety of products. One-fifth of all U.S. exports to Turkey are agricultural. In 2005 Turkey imported $6.5 billion in agricultural products, of which 17 percent came from the United States.
- No participation fee: Only cost will be sending samples to a forwarder assigned by SUSTA which will cover shipments of up to 25 lbs. of product samples.
- Featured products: snack foods, nuts, fruits and vegetables, sauces, beverages, juices, confectionery, spices and condiments
- Registration deadline: September 19, 2008
Producers interested in taking advantage of either of these opportunities to introduce their products to importers and key buyers in Panama or Turkey should contact Keith Long in VDACS’ Office of International Marketing. Call 804.371.8990 or e-mail keith.long@vdacs.virginia.gov. For information on additional domestic and international trade events, go to the VDACS Web site at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/t-events.shtml.