FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 16, 2010
CONTACT:
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator
651.201.6131, Margaret.hart@state.mn.us
Saudi Arabia export opportunities await Minnesota food and ag companies
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council to highlight export opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Representatives of Minnesota food and agriculture companies are encouraged to attend a July 27 market seminar in Minneapolis to learn more about exporting products to that country.
Saudi Arabia imported almost $700 million dollars in U.S. agriculture products last year, according to David Callahan, vice president of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council.
“Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest importers of livestock and is the Middle East’s largest market for agricultural products and technologies,” said Callahan. “A recent effort to conserve scarce water resources led the Saudi government to implement a policy to phase out local production of water-intensive crops, thus limiting expansion of the country’s agriculture sector. As a result, Saudi investors are looking for contract farming opportunities abroad to ensure a steady supply of food staples.”
Minnesota agriculture exports have been outpacing total U.S. ag exports to Saudi Arabia for the last seven years, according to Shannen Bornsen, MDA International Resources Manager.
“Minnesota exports have been growing at an average of 33.8% per year since 2003, while U.S. exports have been growing at a rate of 10% for the same period.” According to Euromonitor data, sauces, condiments, vegetables and animal feed are among the Minnesota products being consumed in the market.
The seminar is geared toward agriculture and food producers and processers. Companies involved in exporting agricultural equipment or production supplies are also encouraged to attend.
The export seminar will be Tuesday, July 27, 2010 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, 35 7th Street South, in Minneapolis. Seating is limited. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Shannen Bornsen at 651-201-6658 or email shannen.bornsen@state.mn.us.
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