ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 16, 2024) ~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that they are seeking food and beverage businesses in the state to participate in outbound trade missions to China and Hong Kong this summer. These missions, hosted by the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), aim to connect Maryland companies with pre-qualified buyers in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.

According to Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, SUSTA is an essential tool for food and beverage producers in the state looking to expand their sales in foreign markets. He believes that their trade missions offer valuable opportunities for businesses to meet top-tier buyers and gain market insight through in-country consultants.

Beijing, the capital of China, is a crucial market for imported food and drinks with a well-established base of importers. Similarly, Guangzhou, a major port city northwest of Hong Kong on the Pearl River, serves as a significant transportation hub and is one of China's three largest cities. Both cities have consumers with high purchasing power and familiarity with imported foods, making them ideal markets for introducing U.S. food and drinks.

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Hong Kong is also a vibrant and dynamic market in Asia. Due to its limited resources for food production, it heavily relies on imports to fulfill its local food supply. In 2023, Hong Kong ranked as the 18th largest importer of agricultural products from the United States with $1.69 billion. As it borders Guangdong province, it presents a strong case for U.S. exporters who may have their sights set on the mainland China market.

To participate in these trade missions to China and Hong Kong, businesses must be members of SUSTA. Interested parties can register for the China outbound trade mission at https://www.susta.org/event/detail/14C3C6E8-94E... or the Hong Kong outbound trade mission at https://www.susta.org/event/detail/476E8D09-80D.... The deadline to sign up for the August trade missions is July 2, 2024.

For any inquiries about the Maryland Department of Agriculture's international efforts or SUSTA, businesses can contact the department's Director of International Marketing, Stone Slade, at stone.slade@maryland.gov. With these outbound trade missions, Maryland food and beverage businesses have a unique opportunity to expand their reach and tap into the lucrative markets of China and Hong Kong.

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