FRESNO, CA – As the industry gears up for the fast-approaching event, Fresno Food Expo has announced that it will host opportunities for western produce growers to connect one-on-one with international buyers, due to cooperation from the Center for International Trade Development (CITD), and the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA). 

“The novelty of an exclusively regional food show hosted in the undisputed food capital of the world – Central California – has afforded the Fresno Food Expo international attention from buyers around the world because of the integral role the region plays in the global food supply chain. In an effort to further aid individual business growth and economic development for not only Central California, but the entire western region’s food industry, the Fresno Food Expo, CITD, and WUSATA have partnered once again to provide an unprecedented impact to an already successful economic development venture,” stated Amy Fuentes, Fresno Food Expo Manager. 

This announcement will pair Central California and the 13-state region of the Western U.S. with international buyers from the following places, according to a recent press release: 

• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Philippines
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Mexico
• Guatemala
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador 

Fresh produce companies who wish to participate in the opportunity must register by July 18 with WUSATA, a non-profit working together with the western states and the USDA to help businesses export overseas. Businesses also have the resources to take their exporting to the next step in exporting with consultation and export training, buying missions, and one-on-one matchmaking through the Fresno Food Expo’s partnership with CITD.

“The California Center for International Trade Development is focused on guiding local food and beverage producers, growers and manufacturers for success in the International market by providing the resources needed to foster strong relationships between foreign buyers and local food producers to benefit not only Central California companies, but the entire International marketplace. According to statistics presented today, less than one percent of United States’ companies are currently exporting and 58% of those companies are only exporting to one country – something we seek to change,” said Alicia Rios, Director, CITD. 

The Fresno Food Expo stated the event, and its partnerships with WUSATA and CITD, aims to support the needs of international buyers who attend the event in search of quality, diverse fresh produce which is not available in their own countries, while expanding the portfolios of businesses in the western regions. Through these opportunities, the event also looks to spur even greater economic growth in Central California.

Since the event’s launch in 2011, the Fresno Food Expo’s attendance has grown every year with more than 950 buyers expected for this year’s instance. 2015 saw over 917 buyers, some from a wide selection of countries as part of CITD’s organized buying mission. Fresno Food Expo said that this increase in attendance is due to buyers traveling greater distances to see what the San Joaquin Valley and Central California have to offer. 

This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2016, at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center, Hall I. A closed business-to-business trade show will begin at 9 am for qualified buyers, and the international one-on-one meetings will be held from 1 – 5 pm. The Expo’s public event, Expolicious, will take place from 5 – 8 pm. 

Fresno Food Expo