Clements Foods Company, an Oklahoma City–based, third-generation, family-owned manufacturer, has significantly strengthened its global presence through sustained participation in Food Export–Midwest programs. Founded in 1952, the company has grown into a respected, multi-category producer of premium branded and private label food products, including jams, jellies, syrups, sauces, mayonnaise, dressings, mustards, vinegar, and peanut butter. With SQF-certified production facilities totaling more than 150,000 square feet, Clements Foods distributes to leading retailers and foodservice distributors across the United States and exports its products around the world.

Referred to Food Export in 2021 by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, Clements sought support in expanding its international footprint and navigating increasingly competitive global markets. Since then, the company has actively utilized Food Export–Midwest’s Market Access Program (MAP)-funded Branded Program, Food Show PLUS!™ services, and the Online Product Catalog to elevate its brand awareness and secure new international business.

During a challenging 2020 global market environment, Clements Foods relied on Branded Program cost-reimbursement funding to maintain its presence in the Gulf Region. Supported by TV, radio, and in-market advertising, the company successfully sustained demand for U.S. products and recorded $9 million in sales, even as competition from regional brands intensified. The Branded Program also enabled the promotion of 18 SKUs and the introduction of six new products, reinforcing the company’s resilience. As Clements noted, “Branded Program funds are essential to keeping up the demand for U.S. products in these more challenging times.”

In the years that followed, Clements Foods built on this momentum by expanding its promotional efforts into multiple markets—including Bahrain, Chile, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Mexico, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. Most recently, in 2024, the company used Branded Program support to execute a robust, multi-channel marketing strategy across thirteen international markets. Activities included digital advertising campaigns, a 3D animated video introducing new peanut butter characters “Crunchy” and “Creamy,” in-store promotions, live chef competitions, and enhanced point-of-sale merchandising.

This comprehensive promotional approach resulted in exceptional export gains. Clements Foods reported over $6.9 million in sales to seven markets and anticipates an additional $8.2 million in projected sales in the next twelve months. Participation also led to 19 new foreign buyer contacts, five new distributorships, and strengthened brand visibility across multiple regions.

Clements Foods has already applied to participate in the 2025 Branded Program with plans to deepen market penetration in the Middle East. Although funding limitations may affect the scale of their activities, the company remains committed to expanding internationally and attributes much of its recent success to Food Export–Midwest’s export assistance services.

Through consistent engagement with Food Export programs, Clements Foods continues to demonstrate how dedicated U.S. suppliers can leverage strategic marketing support to accelerate global growth, enhance competitiveness, and bring high-quality American food products to consumers worldwide.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.