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The restaurant industry's hottest trends
The 2007 Show was a huge success, with nearly 74,000 attendees from all 50 states and 115 countries looking for products and services offered by the record-breaking 2,142 exhibitors. This year’s Show explored the hottest trends — from food and beverage to eco-friendly equipment and cutting-edge technology — while capitalizing on the best opportunity of the year to network, learn from industry experts and meet celebrity chefs and leading restaurateurs. Check out the video footage and photo gallery to see all the action.
THINK LOCALLY....SELL GLOBALLY AT THE AMERICAN FOOD FAIR.
WASHINGTON, D.C. March 20, 2008 - Small business is the engine that drives local economies across the U.S., however, small business has historically shied away from the worlds of international business and exporting. That's about to change according to DeWitt Ashby, director of the 2008 American Food Fair, who is concentrating on helping small and mid-size food manufacturers reach international markets.
"There are great opportunites for small and mid-size food businesses that are willing to step outside their comfort zones and become part of the global supply chain," explains Ashby. "We are currently in a situation where the quality and price of U.S. food products are very attractive to middle class consumers in other nations and it's time for small and mid-size manufacturers to get in on the action."
The 2008 American Food Fair takes place May 17-20 in Chicago's McCormick Place as a special feature of the National Restaurant Association's annual show. The Fair is sponsored by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and represents a unique and successful partnership between state and federal governments to help small businesses expand overseas. Participating companies exhibit under their state banners and recieve advice and support on exporting from their local departments of agriculture. The federal government plays a role through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), which organizes delegations of buyers to attend the Fair through its offices in U.S. Embassies around the world. This year, delegations of top-level buyers for restaurants, hotels, and institutional facilities are expected from more than 100 countries.
NASDA and FAS cultivate the buyer/seller relationship by paying particular attention to the needs of companies new to exporting and to the needs of international buyers. In particular, the International Trade Center (ITC) will be staffed with interpreters and is the perfect place to meet representatives from US Commercial Service and Foreign Agricultural Service personnel from overseas offices.
For information on attending or exhibiting at the 2008 American Food Fair, May 17-20 in Chicago, please contact klorei@cmgexpo.com.
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Contact: Kim Lorei
American Food Fair Management
(703) 934-4700 ext. 106
klorei@cmgexpo.com
U.S. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS EXPECTED TO REACH RECORD LEVELS
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2007 – Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced a record $79 billion forecast in FY 2007 agricultural exports. For fiscal year 2008, USDA forecasts exports to reach $83.5 billion with growth and new sales across all major agricultural product groups.
The forecasts eclipse the old record of $68.6 billion set last year.
"These export numbers, once again, demonstrate that U.S. agricultural products are in high demand around the world," said Johanns. "They also reflect tight world markets for grains and oilseeds. U.S. farmers are hard at work to supply these markets, both at home and abroad. In short, the world wants what we produce and at USDA we will continue to work aggressively to maintain and open markets for our farmers and ranchers."
Building on momentum from 2007, export gains in 2008 will be broad based with record sales for bulk grains, oilseeds, cotton, and high-value horticultural and livestock products.
According to USDA’s first forecast for fiscal year 2008, an expected record U.S. corn crop, strong foreign demand and reduced competition will boost U.S. corn exports $600 million. China’s demand for soybeans and cotton remains strong. Developments in the bio-diesel market will raise Europe’s demand for soybeans as well. Horticultural exports are anticipated to rise by $800 million, supported by strong foreign demand and a competitive dollar. Beef exports are expected to increase $400 million due to larger volume.
"Trade agreements are having a huge impact," said Johanns. "If Congress ratifies the recently signed free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea, Panama and Peru, our producers will have increased access in some extremely important markets."
Imports for fiscal year 2008 are forecast at $75 billion, up $4.5 billion from the 2007 estimate, making for an $8.5 billion trade surplus in 2008. The largest import gains are forecast for fresh and processed fruits, coffee beans and other tropical products, bulk grains, and wines and beer.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service and the World Agricultural Outlook Board release agricultural trade forecasts quarterly. The summary and full report of USDA’s Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Exports may be accessed from the ERS Web site at http://www.ers.usda.gov or the FAS Web site at http://www.fas.usda.gov. The next quarterly report will be issued in November 2007.
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Release No. 0233.07
FAS PR 0095-07
Contact: Keith Williams (202) 720-4623
Harold Kanarek (202) 720-0328
Related News:
NASDA News & Publications
NRA Show Press Room
Foreign Agricultural Service Newsroom