Exporting Food and Ag Products: Trends, Trajectories and Tips

The Key-program Sponsor for the November 9 event is Wells Fargo. 

Every week, more than $65 million worth of Wisconsin food and agricultural products are exported from Wisconsin to international markets totaling nearly $3.4 billion worth of exports. Over the past five years, retaliatory tariffs and the COVID19 Pandemic have impacted the global food supply chain and Wisconsin’s exports.  But there is cause for optimism, half way through 2021, exports are up over 21%.

How does the rest of this year look?  What about the next few years?  How can you succeed in exporting of food and ag products despite the global upheavals?

MITA is pleased to present this session focused on the future of food and ag exports from Wisconsin.

Speakers

  Dr. Michael J. Swanson

Dr. MIchael Swanson is the Wells Fargo Chief Agricultural Economist and Consultant. Dr. Swanson will provide context and insights on the global economy, the trends and trajectories that are cause for optimism, and the headwinds that signal caution in projecting our exports for the rest of this year and for the next few years, for this critical sector of the Wisconsin economy.

  Cindy Brown

Cindy Brown, President of Chippewa Valley Bean and Sam Allison, International Sales Director for Sartori Cheese will share the experiences and expectations for their product sectors, as we look to the years ahead.

   Sam Allison   

Sam Allison is the Global Markets Manager for Sartori Cheese. With nearly 10 years of experience in the cheese industry, Sam has played a key role in growing Sartori into a global brand. Highlights of his experience include Sartori’s win of the 2017 Tom Camerlo Dairy Exporter of the Year, judging at the World Cheese Awards, and leading the sales effort for Sartori in the European market. Sam works regularly with the U.S. Dairy Export Council and Consortium for Common Food Names to support the growth of the US cheese industry worldwide and aid in the effort to protect common names. Sam holds a Master of Arts from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

   Nick Stoller

Nick Stoller is the Associate Brand Manager – Global for Sartori Cheese. With over 5 years of experience in the cheese industry, Nick has worked with Sartori in a variety of marketing channels including Ingredient & Food Service, Domestic Retail, Ecommerce Retail, and Global Sales. Nick holds a Master of Business Administration from Marquette University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Louisville.

AGENDA:

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM Welcome and Opening Remarks
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM Speaker Remarks
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Q & A Session and Closing Remarks

Cost of Admission: FREE for MITA Members; $20 for Non-Members (registration is required for all participants).

Note:  As a member, please insure your membership is up to date and please use the e-mail associated with your MITA membership when registering for this event.   

The Key-program Sponsor for the November 9 event is Wells Fargo Bank.

MITA’s events are Co-sponsored by M.E. Dey Import-Export, Trek Bicycle and The Geo Group.

More About Wells Fargo:

Wells Fargo has been the nation’s leading agricultural lender among commercial banks for 25 consecutive years, according to Top 100 Farm Lenders (FDIC – 4Q 2020). Wells brings farm-to-fork expertise to our clients in the agribusiness, food, beverage and hospitality industries with bankers who are passionate and knowledgeable about the industries, provide strategic products designed to mitigate industry-specific risk, and provide a full suite of services for businesses of all sizes.