RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host its third annual N.C. Ag Export Seminar at The Laureate Center in Kannapolis on Jan. 28 and 29. The two-day event is designed for farmers and agribusiness owners currently exporting or interested in exporting in the future.

“Exports present a great opportunity for local farmers and food businesses to grow their operations by reaching the 95 percent of the world’s market that live outside the United States,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “North Carolina exported about $2.3 billion worth of agricultural products in 2019, and I see that number only rising in the future.”

During the seminar, industry experts will discuss the latest on logistics, financing and managing risks when selling to the global marketplace. The first day will kick off with a review of the current state of N.C. agricultural exports and remarks from Commissioner Troxler. That will be followed by presentations on International Commercial Terms and an update from the N.C. State Ports Authority. Afternoon sessions will focus on transportation logistics of exporting by ground, rail, air or sea.

The second day resumes with a series of panel discussions. Sessions will cover export resources available to business owners and how to prepare your shipment for export. Additional panels will discuss finance options, getting paid and protecting your sale.

Registration is $195, but participants can save $20 by registering before January 7. The registration deadline is Jan. 21. For more information and to register, go to bit.ly/2020NCAES.

–Zach Mussler, NCDA&CS