Sioux Honey Association in the 5th Congressional District of Iowa has used the cost-share support through the Branded Program to enter the market in Japan by receiving funding for tasting demonstrations, brochure translations and labeling. Export sales for the company have gone up 40% since they entered the market two years ago.

The Branded Program funding benefits for their importer also helped them land their first sale to Japan. According to Jim Powell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “Over the last two years we have expanded our relationship with a company that bought our distributor. Our funding from the Branded Program convinced the company to go ahead with an expansion program. They have added additional sizes of our product to their sales program for this fall.” As a result of their exposure in Japan, Sioux Honey Association has seen interest from other markets as well. “With the poor economy worldwide we were concerned about this year’s sales, but orders are still strong. We are purchasing more honey to help fill the new orders and processing about 500,000 more pounds a product per year.  We are looking for a great year in the Japanese market and expanding to other areas in the Far East,” Powell said.

Sioux Honey Association was formed in 1921 and markets clover, orange, sage, and mixed floral honeys, each with its own distinct flavor. The honey is tested and graded for clarity, type, flavor, moisture and color. Sioux Honey Association is also a green company, which means their products and containers are safe for the environment.

Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are private, non-profit associations of Midwestern and Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of Midwestern and Northeastern food and agricultural products. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast administer many services through Market Access Program (MAP) funding from the USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service.