North Dakota exporters hosted two international delegations as the state’s specialty crop and identity-preserved (IP) soybean markets continue to draw international interest.
Delegations from Colombia and China met North Dakota companies, participated in educational events, and toured the state.
The missions were organized through the cooperation of the North Dakota Trade Office, Northern Crops Institute, Northern Pulse Growers, Northarvest Bean Association, North Dakota Soybean Council, North Dakota State University, Bean Products Committee of China and the Foreign Agricultural Service in China.
Colombia focuses on pulses
The Colombia reverse trade mission had a focus on specialty crops and pulse ingredients such as peas, beans, lentils and confectionary sunflowers.
The mission started off with pulse experts from the Northern Crops Institute, North Harvest Bean Growers and NDSU speaking on the use of pulse ingredients in baked goods, pasta, and snacks, and quality characteristics of northern grown pulse to 14 Colombian delegates.
Participants then toured the state and met North Dakota companies at their facilities.
The Colombia-North Dakota specialty crops initiative has been continuously active for over a year now.
Most recently this summer, several major Colombian supermarkets held four weeks of in-store samplings and promotions of North Dakota pulses in the cities of Bogotá and MedellÃn.
The in-store promotions are a continuation of events that took place during a trade mission held in March, during which Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring led North Dakota companies to attend the Colombia-North Dakota Better for You Food Ingredients conference and exhibition in MedellÃn.
China’s interest in IP soybeans
A delegation of 13 Chinese food company leaders interested in IP soybeans met North Dakota’s growers and processors of soy products.
They met Commissioner Goehring and attended educational sessions on North Dakota soybean quality, applications and procurement.
Discussion will follow on various China-ND trade topics including the current situation and regulations in China’s food soybean industry.
The NDTO has led seven trade missions to China since 2004.
This year’s mission was led by Commissioner Goehring and was centered on the 4th annual China-North Dakota Better for You Food Ingredients conference and exhibition in Shanghai, China.
