Trade stakeholders tout success of virtual trade mission

Gov. Brad Little is touting early positive results from Idaho’s first virtual trade mission to Mexico made earlier this year.

In a joint effort to promote international trade for Idaho businesses, Little and the Idaho Department of Agriculture and Idaho Department of Commerce partnered to host the virtual trade mission in mid-April with Mexico, Idaho’s fourth largest export destination, which accounted for the purchase of $224.2 million in Idaho products in 2020, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“Mexico offers a unique opportunity for Idaho businesses to export to and explore new markets,” event representatives from Idaho Agriculture and Commerce departments stated in an email message. “Mexico was selected as the next trade mission destination before the pandemic started due to company interest and the enactment of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.”

The state has had a full-time trade office in Mexico since 1994 that fosters connections between Idaho businesses and Mexican buyers.

“Fabiola McClellan, chief representative, and her team provided the essential matchmaking services during the virtual trade mission as well as assistance with meeting follow-up,” event representatives said.

How the virtual trade mission worked

Thirteen Idaho companies participated in the virtual trade mission. Through more than 85 meetings (including one-on-one), participating companies presented their products and services to Mexican business leaders, attended virtual matchmaking sessions with partners and buyers and made connections with business leaders and government officials.

Each Idaho company was matched with six Mexican companies on average to discuss their products and services, event representatives said. Some meetings were between parties that already had partnerships to allow the Idaho company to deepen the relationship and increase their sales. Other meetings were new connections and the intent was to facilitate an introduction, discuss the benefits of the Idaho products and understand the need of the Mexican companies.

Little and both the director of Idaho commerce and the state department of agriculture attended several meetings with high-level Mexican executives and Idaho companies, according to event representatives. Staff from both departments were present at each meeting to assist discussions.

What results did participants see?

“While it is still early, many of these companies are already seeing positive results from the event ranging from new partnerships, increased sales, to future meetings with connections made at the event,” event representatives said.

“Idaho’s businesses have boundless potential, and this mission was a successful effort to help them continue to grow,” Little said in a statement. “Company feedback so far indicates there will be increased sales as a direct result of this mission.”

Idaho companies and organizations participating in the virtual trade mission represented a wide array of industries including dairy, beans and ancient grains, fresh produce, beef, livestock genetics, ag-tech, real estate, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Food and agricultural products made up 91% of Idaho’s 2020 exports to Mexico, which is Idaho’s second-largest destination for food and agriculture. Idaho companies currently sell goods and services to 156 countries around the world, representatives from Idaho Agriculture and Commerce departments stated. Other top exporting markets include Canada, Singapore and Taiwan.

During his time as lieutenant governor, Little led a trade mission to Mexico in 2011. The most recent trade mission to Mexico was led by former Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter in 2015.

“Gov. Little’s leadership was instrumental in highlighting Idaho’s high-quality products and services, opening opportunities to important companies such as HEB and Grupo Aeroméxico, which gave Idaho companies the opportunity to present their products and establish contacts with the high-level decision makers,” event representatives said.

Why a virtual trade mission?

The virtual mission also was an opportunity to thank long-standing customers for their business and strengthen relationships with partners to help exporters grow their business and increase market share in Mexico.

“A virtual mission does not replace direct personal visits with prospective buyers, but the virtual mission was an excellent alternative,” it stated. When asked how it was decided to do the event virtually, and if there will be future ones in the same format, event representatives responded stating the event was done in compliance with the latest CDC standards to ensure the safety and health of everyone involved.

“Whether others will be conducted in a similar format, depends on what the latest travel restrictions, guidelines and standards are at that time,” event representatives said. “We are hopeful that the next event will be conducted in-person in the country the mission is in, as previous years have been. Face-to-face business meetings to promote a product or service will continue to be important in international business.”

The U.S. has free trade agreements with 20 countries, and free trade agreements level the playing field for U.S. companies, event representatives stated, set clear trade and labor rules and lower tariffs and quota requirements. Not only does this benefit companies, but also benefits consumers by reducing costs and prices.

Participating companies included:

1000 Springs Mill

Agri Beef Co.

Berkshire Hathaway HS Silverhawk Realty Christensen Genetics

Databot

Encoder Products Company

Glanbia Nutritionals

High Desert Milk

Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee Mountain States Oilseeds

Muscle Foods

Ramper Innovations