From the Desk of the CEO: July 2025

Dear Food Export Community, 

Being quick on your feet isn’t just a competitive advantage in today’s global food and ag trade environment. It’s essential for survival.

I don’t know whether to call these new tariffs or old tariffs! The U.S. dollar is softening, offering potential relief for exporters. Financial analysts warn that we are still figuring out where the costs of this trade environment are being shouldered.

Volatility is the new normal. Our suppliers are being asked to make faster decisions with less certainty than ever before.

That’s why I want to spotlight one of our newest resources: the Export Navigator Service.

This isn’t just another page on our website. It’s a direct connection to subject matter experts who help suppliers move from confusion to clarity, from hesitation to action. Whether it’s responding to policy shifts, preparing for a trade show, or fielding a complex buyer request, the Navigator team helps build the one thing that truly sustains businesses in this climate. Agility.

When I talk with our staff and partners, I hear the same things:

• “This is one of the most under-the-radar, high-impact services we offer.”
• “Suppliers don’t get a checklist. They get a seasoned advisor who takes the time to understand their product, target markets, and business goals.”
• “It’s not just about solving urgent problems. It’s about coaching for resilience and strategic readiness before challenges arise.”

Recently, a food company came to us with a question: could they safely offer credit terms to international buyers without increasing their exposure? We connected them with a legal and finance expert on our Navigator team. He walked them through real, workable options like trade credit insurance, factoring, and government-backed single-buyer protection. The company left with more than information. They left with a viable plan to grow international sales while protecting against non-payment. That’s agility in action.

This service is fast, flexible, and grounded in real-world expertise. It reflects a broader shift in how we serve exporters. Not with cookie-cutter answers, but with human-centered, business-specific support across critical issues like:

• Pricing and landed cost analysis
• Regulatory and labeling compliance
• Product documentation and ingredient reviews
• Export readiness and strategic planning

We often describe exporting as a journey. But for that metaphor to hold up, there has to be a map, and sometimes, a guide who picks up the phone when the weather suddenly changes.

That’s what this service offers. A real expert. A real response. Delivered when it matters most.

For a $50 nominal booking fee, suppliers can access tailored, on-demand advice that could otherwise take weeks to track down or thousands to buy. That’s not just support. That’s value. And in today’s trade environment, it can mean the difference between a missed opportunity and a closed deal.

Let’s make sure the companies we serve know that help is just a click away—and ready when they need it most.

Brendan Wilson 

CEO, Food Export-Midwest & Food Export-Northeast

Your Input Matters: If there is a topic you wish for me to discuss in this space, let me know. You can reach me at info@foodexport.org. Just put Attn: Brendan Wilson in the subject line.