International demand for Michigan-grown
produce is on the upswing, and state and nonprofit agencies are helping
West Michigan food suppliers garner some of the spotlight. That's
paying off for the state's second largest industry.
According to excerpts from the story:
France is the culinary capital of the
world. It is home to such exotic dishes as foie gras, bouillabaisse,
ratatouille … and Michigan dried cherries? Michigan companies, in
concert with state government, are working to develop broader markets
for their food products, traveling to Europe and Asia to introduce them
to new audiences.
The efforts appear to be working. According
to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Michigan’s total agricultural
exports rose from $836 million in 2003 to more than $1.2 billion in
2007 — an increase of 48 percent, slightly greater than the rate of the
country as a whole. Figures for 2008 will be available in June.
The
biggest exports were soybeans and soybean products, worth $290 million;
feed, grains and products, worth $242 million; and fruits and fruit
preparation, worth $122 million. Fruit products are also the
fastest-growing export, as their exports more than doubled between 2003
and 2007: from $49 million to $122 million.
Read the complete story here.
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