Since 2018, Advanced Sunflower LLC, based in Huron, South Dakota, has participated in Food Export–Midwest programs to expand its global presence and grow its brand internationally. The company, a producer of sunflower seed products, has leveraged multiple Food Export services including the Branded Program, Buyers Missions, webinars, and the Online Product Catalog to support its export strategy.

In 2024, Advanced Sunflower participated in the Market Access Program (MAP)-funded Branded Program to increase brand awareness in Mexico. With allocated funding, the company attended key trade shows and produced branded giveaway items to attract interest. These efforts resulted in $244,000 in immediate export sales, with projected sales of over $2.5 million in the next 12 months and the addition of three new foreign buyer contracts.

The company has experienced consistent year-over-year success through Food Export programs, helping to grow its global reach and reinforce its brand in international markets.

A standout moment came in October 2021, when Advanced Sunflower exhibited for the first time at ANUGA, one of the world’s largest international food and beverage trade shows held in Cologne, Germany. To maximize its presence, the company used Food Export’s Food Show PLUS!™ service, which provided:

• Introductions to qualified buyers by In-Market Representatives
• Market briefings
• On-site assistance
• Post-show lead qualification services

In addition, the company used Branded Program funding to help offset the costs of exhibiting at the show. These combined efforts led to projected export sales of $1 million over the following year, and the company secured several promising new leads.

According to Advanced Sunflower, “This was our first year exhibiting at ANUGA, and we believe it was a success. We met with many new leads that we find promising. They appeared to be serious buyers, and we are currently working with them to secure new business. The ability to go out there and promote our brand and products with the help of the Branded Program is key to our future export success. We were one of the few American companies exhibiting sunflower seeds, and it helped immensely with brand recognition. Overall, we hope this is the first of many more trade shows to come.”

Advanced Sunflower continues to leverage Food Export–Midwest programs to build relationships, gain visibility, and grow export sales across new and existing global markets.

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.