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Ohio Businesses to Develop Partnerships with Israel
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio -- Twelve Ohio food companies have new business relationships to foster after their kosher and non-kosher food products were sampled by some of the 30,000 food distributors, retailers, wholesalers, restaurants and hotel representatives at IsraFood-Hotex International Food and Beverage Exhibition in Tel Aviv, Israel, last week, according to Fred L. Daily, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Initial results from the show are estimated at $50,000 and projected sales could be more than $100,000.That would mean a return on investment to Ohio of 50 to one, Daily said, adding that the department represented the companies at the exhibition along with The Negev Foundation, the Ohio Department of Development, and the U.S. Embassy. Ohio currently ranks 13 th in the nation with agricultural exports to Israel of $1.3 billion.The long-term economic impact of the mission is expected to be even greater as relationships are built over the next few years. "Israel is a new, growing market with the potential to provide increased export opportunities for Ohio's food companies and producers," Dailey noted. "The people of this region are familiar with American products and are ready to pay for the quality food items our companies can offer." The Negev Foundation, a Cleveland non-profit organization that promotes agriculture ties between Israel and Ohio, recruited the following Ohio companies to send products to the show: Almondina Brand Biscuits, MaumeeArchway Cookies, AshlandBertman Original Ball Park Mustard, ClevelandBunker Hill Cheese, MillersburgChocolate Emporium, ClevelandCooperative Business International, ColumbusFisherman's All Natural Seasonings, ClevelandMaramor Candy Co., ColumbusO'Neil Foods, Garfield HeightsTotal Ultimate Foods, ColumbusTrophy Nut Co., Tipp CityZio World Cuisine, Glouster The Ohio Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with The Negev Foundation, the Ohio Department of Development Office in Tel Aviv, and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, provided international trade specialists to showcase and represent Ohio food companies at the exhibition, Daily said. ODA officials visited a number of retail markets and met with buyers from Tiv Taam, the largest non-kosher supermarket in Israel; the two largest kosher-only supermarket chains in Israel; a hotel food distributor; and large and small importers specializing in supermarket foods, chocolates, private label foods, and upscale gourmet foods.In addition, ODA representatives and U.S. embassy representatives met with the Israel Ministry of Agriculture to follow up on the February 2004 Ohio Feeder Calf Mission to Israel. Exports of live animals from the United States have been temporarily on hold since a single case of BSE was detected in this country in December 2003, Daily said."