Agricultural Trade and Export Program Promotes Ohio Ag Products
In partnership with: Ohio Department of Agriculture
The return of an innovative and ambitious program administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is a boon for the agency’s Division of Marketing. The Agricultural Trade and Export Program is designed to support the state’s agricultural sector in connecting with international markets, bringing Ohio ag products to consumers worldwide.
“The primary goal of our export program is to create and protect Ohio jobs by increasing agricultural exports,” says ODA’s agriculture export administrator Tim Sword, who leads the program. “We leverage resources and activities available through USDA-funded organizations, including Food Export-Midwest, a vital partner.”
Since June 2024, ODA has visited six international cities and various locations in Mexico. They have also hosted more than 50 visitors interested in partnering with Ohio suppliers.
Connecting Producers and Consumers
Sword is in close contact with Ohio companies and agricultural producers who are eligible for various export assistance programs.
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ODA works with Food Export- Midwest to host “Export 101” workshops to educate participants on the basics of producing for international markets and then visits individuals to connect companies with its programs and services.
Brendan Wilson, Food Export- Midwest CEO and executive director, says the program is an accessible way for a department like the ODA to offer international trade support to producers without creating a costly new department of international trade. ODA is able to outsource their needs to Food Export-Midwest instead of channeling resources into hiring in-house educators and creating business-to-business resources, and grants programs.
According to Wilson’s office, every dollar spent on participant activities in 2023 produced $49 in export sales.
The new ODA program is helping Ohio’s small and medium-sized agricultural producers understand and meet the requirements of each international market. Sword says the interest is there, but companies often need support to become global suppliers.
“Our role is to connect the dots,” Sword says. “We want to be a primary point of contact for Ohio ag exporters.”
Trade missions are an essential part of the program. Sword has already visited Mexico City to participate in the Mexico Food Tech Summit, and upcoming missions include visits to Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, with the goal of connecting those markets to Ohio agricultural products.
“We are also collaborating with Food Export-Midwest to bring 15 to 20 international retail food buyers to Columbus,” Sword says. “We will match them up with Ohio processed food companies that have the products they’re looking for.”
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The program unifies Ohio suppliers into a high-quality and enthusiastic trade consortium, ready to partner with overseas buyers.
“We help get everybody in the room together without being duplicative,” he says.
Soybean Success
According to data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Ohio is the 10th-leading agricultural exporting state, shipping about $6.1 billion in products abroad. Soybeans are Ohio’s No. 1 agricultural export, used for biodiesel fuel, animal feed, and vegetable oil among many other products. Ohio’s 2023 soybean production was valued at around $3.4 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and about half the state’s soybean crop is exported in one form or another.
“ODA has been a valuable partner when we are hosting trade teams in the state,” says Kirk Merritt,
executive director of the Ohio Soybean Council.
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Merritt emphasizes that Ohio’s soybeans tend to have higher protein content due to a favorable growing climate and soil quality. Ohio’s white hilum soybeans are highly prized by overseas markets.
Expanding Efforts
Wilson notes that Ohio stands out among U.S. states thanks to its diverse agricultural economy.
“Ohio does a little bit of everything, and it has a strong transportation infrastructure,” he says. “All that makes it attractive to international buyers as well.”
The Agricultural Trade and Export Program will help globally fuel the need for Ohio’s products, support local economic growth, and create jobs for Ohioans. ODA’s Tim Sword will work to expand the department’s export efforts.
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“We’re looking to partner with Ohio universities participating in the Ohio Export Internship Program,” he says. “And we are especially grateful for our partnership with Food Export-Midwest.”