International Marketing Programs

In order to help Kansas small businesses enter new markets and gain new international customers, the Kansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the following international missions:

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, helps Kansas non-exporters get started and existing exporters to export more.

Since the grant’s inception in 2012, more than 100 Kansas small businesses have participated and achieved $23 million in actual export sales. In order to further broaden Kansas’ exporter base and increase the export value and volume, the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Department of Agriculture have joined forces during the 2019 grant year to focus on three main areas: export training, foreign trade shows and trade missions, and market entry support.

We invite you to explore these activities and learn how the STEP grant can help you enter and expand in the global market.

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Current Opportunities:
Trade Mission to Thailand, March 24-26, 2020
VICTAM Asia and PetFood Forum Asia

NAMPO Agriculture Trade Show, Bothaville, South Africa, May 12-15, 2020
Livestock genetics/equipment, ag equipment, and animal health sector

To Apply: Small- and medium-sized Kansas farms, ranches and agribusinesses are invited to apply to participate in the missions. To apply, download and review the following forms:
For additional information about the STEP grant activities, please contact:
Suzanne Ryan-Numrich
International Trade Director
Kansas Department of Agriculture
1320 Research Park Drive
Manhattan, KS 66502
suzanne.numrich@ks.gov
785-564-6704 (Office)
Participant Eligibility
The Kansas Department of Agriculture strives to include as many companies in the activity as possible, but participation is limited to ensure a productive experience for those who attend. Criterion for participation selection includes:
- Relevance of a company’s business line to mission goals and stated market sectors of emphasis
- Potential for business in the country
- Provision of adequate information on the company’s products and/or services, and the company’s primary market objectives, to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners
- Certification that the company meets agriculture guidelines for participation. Generally this means a company should qualify as an SME (500 or fewer employees), and that their products or services should be either produced in Kansas and have at least 51 percent Kansas content of value of the finished product or service.
- Must meet the SBA’s definition of a small or medium sized business. Please reference the SBA's Size Standards Table.
- Must be willing to contribute at least $1000 towards their expenses for the trade mission
- Must be willing to participate in media interviews, if requested
- Must have a valid passport or be able to get a passport

U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE) Trade Missions

Kansas Department of Agriculture is in the process of planning USLGE (U.S. Livestock Genetics Export) trade missions for 2020. The goal of these missions is to provide an opportunity for Kansas' purebred cattle producers and allied industry to develop relationships with livestock producers to increase market opportunities for U.S. and Kansas beef and dairy genetics.

International Marketing News

USLGE Trade Mission to AGRO Farm Russia
USDA Trade Mission to South Africa with Dragon Line
USDA Trade Mission to South Africa
STEP Grant Trade Mission with U.S. Grains Council in Peru
STEP Grant Trade Mission at Beef Australia
Food Export Pet food Ingredient Buyers Mission at Petfood Forum KC
STEP Grant Trade Mission to Sorghum in the 21st Century
USDA Cochran Fellows from Serbia at Mill Creek Ranch
USDA Cochran Fellows from Serbia at Fink Beef Genetics
USLGE Trade Mission to Uruguay
USLGE Trade Mission to Costa Rica with INTA & International Charolais Association
USLGE Trade Mission to Argentina
USLGE Reverse Trade Mission from Costa Rica
USLGE Reverse Trade Mission from Costa Rica

As of 2011, more than 99 percent of global consumers live outside of Kansas. The Agricultural Marketing, Advocacy and Outreach team offers a variety of programs and services to assist Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses market their products and services overseas. Services include:

Assist with overall, international marketing strategies and plans
Assist with market research and understanding of export/import protocols and regulations
Host foreign buying teams
Lead industry-specific trade missions, both to tradeshows and exhibitions as well as directly to buyers
Work with Kansas State University’s Value-Added Foods Lab to prepare products for export – recipe reformulation, label/package modification, ingredient modification, etc.
Work with Kansas State University’s IGP Institute
Membership in national and international trade associations that give Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses access to a variety of programs and services. Memberships include:
- U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. www.USLGE.org
- Food Export Association of the Midwest www.FoodExport.org
- North American Agriculture Marketing Officials www.NAAMO.org
- U.S. Meat Export Federation www.USMEF.org
- U.S. Grains Council www.grains.org

Branded Programs

A variety of industry-specific trade associations offer a Branded Program via U.S. Department of Agriculture funds. Branded programs are cost-share funding programs that support the promotion of branded and private label food and agricultural products in foreign markets. Participant companies receive 50% cost reimbursement for a wide variety of eligible international marketing and promotional activities.

Organizations offering Kansas farms, ranches and agribusinesses Branded Program services are:

If you have an agricultural product that you are interested in exporting and you do not see a Branded Program specific to your product, please contact KDA staff to learn about additional Branded Program opportunities that may not be listed above.

Export Resource Guide

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is committed to providing support and assistance to the growth of Kansas farms, ranches and agribusinesses. Many resources exist which can help Kansas businesses grown internationally; this document will help you access those resources.

Export Resource Guide

International Marketing & Trade Statistics

International Marketing and Trade Statistics - January 2019

Kansas Department of Agriculture