FOREIGN TRADE SECTION - Schiva Gandhi 



The number of Massachusetts agribusiness firms participating in the export 

 programs of the Division of Markets has remained fairly stable in this fiscal 

 year. There are approximately 100 firms ("new- to-export" or experienced exporters) 

 utilizing the services and resources of the Foreign Trade Section. However, it has 

 been noticed that these firms were much more active this year in utilizing the 

 various services provided by this Section. Moreover, there has been a marked in- 

 crease in enquiries on agricultural statistics, the latest developments in foreign 

 markets and other information relating to foreign trade by individuals thinking 

 of entering the export market. 



A major source of their interest has stemmed from reading about the various 

 trade shows and exhibits. The Foreign Trade Section periodically mails out 

 particulars about a trade show that might be of interest to Massachusetts ex- 

 porting firms to establish new global markets or enlarge the market for their 

 products in their current global area of concentration. One such trade show that 

 this Section is currently concentrating on disseminating information about is 

 The United States International Food Show (USIFS) , to be held in New York Coliseum 

 April 14-18, 1982. This is the first large-scale and most comprehensive inter- 

 national food exhibition ever staged in this country. Already a large number of 

 representatives of food manufacturing companies and processors, as well as official 

 organizations in all sectors of food and drink industry have indicated that they 

 are eager to participate in the USIFS, for it provides them with an ideal oppor- 

 tunity to introduce new products, identify new markets and new trends in food pro- 

 cessing, as well as boost sales in national and international markets. 



A greater number of "new- to-export" firms are finding that an easy way to in- 

 troduce their products to food buyers in a large number of countries, at no cost, 

 is through the monthly newsletter CONTACTS for U.S. Farm Products. To participate 

 in this program the export representative of a firm describes the product in 100 

 words or less, including the firms address, bank reference, phone number etc., and 

 this information is forwarded via the State Department of Agriculture to the 

 Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for 

 compilation in the monthly newsletter and translation into various languages. 

 This Newsletter then goes to Agricultural attaches, who in turn distribute the 

 information to the food trade in their country (ies) of responsibility. The major 

 emphasis of this program is on new exporters and/or new export products. 



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