For Immediate Release: Monday, February 28, 2005
Contact: Mark Johnston at 605-773-3212
PIERRE - South Dakota's Sec. of Agriculture Larry Gabriel is headed to the other side of the world in search of new marketing opportunities for the state’s largest industry.
"Part of my job description specified in statute is to promote a system of marketing and cooperate in securing new foreign markets,” said Sec. Gabriel. “We will establish working contacts; and learn what our producers need to do to provide the products needed by consumers in Japan and Korea."
The trip, scheduled for March 9-17, is sponsored by the Mid America International Trade Council (MIATCO). The mission of MIATCO is to present opportunities for small companies to develop export markets in international venues. Secretary Gabriel serves as the President of MIATCO.
The first stop will be Tokyo where Gabriel will attend one of the largest international food expositions. During the two-day visit, there will be approximately 2,500 companies exhibiting products to about 90,000 food industry visitors.
“Japan has historically been the largest foreign market for beef, but that market and the Korean market have been closed since a Canadian cow with BSE was discovered in the U.S. in December of 2003,” according to Gabriel. "Our SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef initiative may open some closed doors in the international market. We have been told that the Japanese are interested in learning more about SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef."
While in Japan Gabriel also plans to meet with embassy officials, business leaders and members of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Prior to the BSE case, South Korea was the third largest importer of US beef. That trade door is still closed, which is part of the reason Seoul is the next stop on the tour. In Korea, Gabriel will be joined by Bob Weyrich, also from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, for another international food exposition at which South Dakota will have an information booth.
"Korea is a large importer of wheat, but mostly feed quality grains. We want to explore their interest in specialty and identity preserved grains, as well as our certified beef initiative," Gabriel explained.
“I don't know how much we will accomplish in a single trip, but we must do all we can to show the world the quality of products produced by South Dakota farmers and ranchers," Gabriel said.
