List of International Trade Events Can Guide Food Companies to Foreign Markets

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Companies that want to grow their businesses through exporting food and agricultural products can now find a calendar listing 2011 international promotions on the Web site of the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) at www.susta.org.

Events for next year include trade shows, missions and other opportunities to meet buyers in Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Canada, China and many other markets. "We're looking forward to our 2011 lineup of events, because these are perfect prospects for companies whose products are a natural fit for foreign markets," said Bernadette Wiltz, SUSTA's deputy director and international marketing director. "Companies can introduce their products to new markets to generate revenue and build an overseas market base."

Especially in times of economic uncertainty, breaking into international markets can provide the support for which companies are looking, said Jerry Hingle, SUSTA's executive director. "In 2009, companies working with SUSTA made more than $100 million in export sales as a direct result of trade shows, trade missions and other events – amounting to a strong return on investment of $38 for every $1 SUSTA spent on export promotion."

The 2011 SUSTA Events Calendar can be accessed by visiting www.susta.org. Companies interested in a print copy of the calendar can also request one by contacting [email protected].

SUSTA is a non-profit trade development association comprised of the Departments of Agriculture of the 15 southern states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1973, its programs and services have assisted exporters of high-value food and agricultural products. SUSTA is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), its member states and private companies.

SOURCE Southern U.S. Trade Association