06/21/06 Takasugi at US Food Export showcase

If processors and commodity dealers want to expand they need to look to foreign markets. Idaho Agriculture Director Pat Takasugi attended the US Food Export Showcase in Chicago where some of the businesses were not prepared to make sales to foreign buyers. TAKASUGI "In fact our strategy is going to change next year. We're getting people who want to write contracts right here. One of my displayers, they weren't ready for that. We're going to start stocking our booths with people who are ready to sell as well as those who are representing our industry." Takasugi says Idaho agriculture is trying to increase its presence in the growing Asian markets. TAKASUGI "Obviously we're big in Japan, Taiwan and Korea but we're also expanding now into mainland China, Thailand, India." Takasugi says Idaho has had great success in getting processed potato products into Asian markets and beef was also a big selling commodity until the borders were recently closed off. While trying to reestablish the beef trade Idaho looks to export. TAKASUGI "As their taste develops in cheese we anticipate especially with our packaging there branded labels going east." Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott