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INsight
SUSTA's INsight newsletter is published every two months.

March/April 2008 INsight excerpts

Good Health - Take It with You!
Indian Consumers Experience Southern U.S. Cuisine
Chile Retail Market Summary
Japan Chef Demonstrations Highlight Southern Cuisine
French Convenience Foods Market

January/February 2008 INsight excerpts

November/December 2007 INsight excerpts

Good Health - Take It with You!

Planning for good health on an international trip is just as important as applying for your passport, and whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first timer, there are several things to consider.

There are many diseases seen in other parts of the world that we just do not see here in the United States, such as malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever. Other diseases thought to be eradicated, such as polio, are still breaking out in some parts of the world. Measles and mumps are being seen in parts of Europe and Canada. Whooping cough has recently been reported in Mississippi and Wisconsin. New diseases such as avian flu and Ebola areemerging as international health risks. And who has not heard of, if not experienced, Montezuma’s revenge? Yes, even the risk of contracting “traveler’s diarrhea,” as well as any of the others, can be considerably reduced or eliminated by taking a few simple precautions. So take the time to educate yourself about how to reduce your risk of becoming sick on your next travel adventure.

Scheduling a visit to a specialized travel medicine clinic is highly advisable and should be your first step in planning a successful trip. Make sure that the one you choose offers destination specific counseling for where you are traveling and not just “shotsand pills.” Discuss with them not only all the places you will be visiting, but what types of activities you will be participating in to receive the most comprehensive recommendations. Make sure that their instruction is based on Centers for Disease Control recommendations and requirements. They should stock everything you could possibly require, including hard-to-get vaccines such as Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever, and should provide you with information about each vaccine that they recommend prior to administration. All vaccinations should be recorded on a yellow International Certificate of Immunization, which is the only document recognized worldwide as proof of vaccination. This document is required upon entry to certain destinations.

Think about your health insurance. Does it cover you while abroad? What type of healthcare services will be available where you are traveling? Will you have to pay up-front for services? Will you be evacuated to a place where services are available if visiting a remote location? The fact is that most insurance policies do not cover you while you are abroad and many health care facilities abroad do expect payment for services up-front. You can protect yourself for a few dollars per day with a travel health insurance/assistance/evacuation policy. Information about how to obtain these should be available through a good travel medicine consultant. The work you are going out of the country to accomplish is important. Hopefully, it will translate into new sales opportunities and income for your business. Make sure you are well prepared to reduce the risk of getting sick by visiting a good travel clinic prior to departure.

Michele Eichhorn R.N., B.S.N. is the Executive Director of Passport Health of Louisiana. Michele can be reached at 504-456-8515 or passport_health@bellsouth.net. Passport Health locations across the nation can be found on their website, www.passporthealthusa.com.

Indian Consumers Experience Southern U.S. Cuisine

From September 17 to October 7, 2007, SUSTA partnered with Spencers Retail Ltd. for a series of in-store promotions at retail outlets in India. Spencers stores in four Indian cities – Harayana, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Mumbai – hosted chef demonstrations and other activities promoting southern U.S. food products. The event, inaugurated by American Ambassador to India David Mulford, was held to increase awareness and sales of southern U.S. cuisine and products. In addition to the estimated 4,000 store visitors reached during the promotion, leading newspapers such as the Hindustan Times, Hindu, and Rashtriya Sahara reported on the promotion, giving SUSTA region products additional exposure among the Indian population.

SUSTA’s in-country representatives in India established a good working relationship with Spencers retail outlets all over the country. Due to the promotion, Spencers reported a 76% increase in sales. Spencers has expressed interest in pecans and other products from the SUSTA region.

Southern U.S. suppliers can introduce their products to India personally at the IFE India trade show in December. Check www.susta.org/events for details about this opportunity.

Chile Retail Market Summary

In 2006 and 2007 the strong Chilean peso, in relation to the U.S. dollar, increased the demand for imported goods. Santiago is home to 40 percent of the country’s population and the great majority of the retail food sector companies that purchase imported food products. Chileans spend, on average, nearly 20 percent of their household income on food and drinks.

In Chile, the United States is seen as a strong, traditional trading partner. Products from the United States are known for their high quality and safety, and U.S. products considered unique or special by Chilean consumers command a higher market share. Products that show promise in this market include easy-to-prepare foods, fast foods, and snack foods, as well as diet and “light” foods. As more people join the workforce and eat outside of the home, certain processed foods show strong growth.

During 2006, retail sales represented over 21 percent of Chile’s national GDP, totaling US$33.9 billion, with 46 percent of this (US$15.6 billion) comprised of retail food. In 2007 the retail sector was expected to grow 3.2 percent to US$35 billion, following growth of more than 18 percent in 2006.

SUSTA will provide opportunities for southern U.S. suppliers to promote agricultural products to Chile and elsewhere in South America this year. For more information on these activities and to register, visit www.susta.org/events. sMore information about the Chilean retail market may be found at www.fas.usda.gov, under Attache Reports in the Market and Trade Data portion of the site.

Japan Chef Demonstrations Highlight Southern Cuisine

In November 2007, SUSTA sponsored an activity in Tokyo to expose over 100 Japanese foodservice professionals and importers to food and beverage products from the southern United States. Ten companies from the SUSTA region sent product samples to be demonstrated by Japanese chef Hidaka of Acqua Pazzo, who prepared a number of dishes with the ingredients.

Following the demonstration, some importers requested more information about the southern U.S. products used during the event. These leads have been developed and pursued by the suppliers, who project $50,000 in sales as a result of the activity. A total of 24 buyer-seller introductions were made as a result of the event.

As part of SUSTA’s ongoing activities targeting the Japanese market, a delegation of Japanese foodservice importers will visit the SUSTA region and the New York Fancy Food show in June to meet with southern U.S. exporters. Learn more about this mission at www.susta.org/events.

French Convenience Foods Market

France’s urban population is growing, and fewer hours spent at work, as well as shorter, less formal meals, mean consumers have more time for leisure pursuits. These factors, along with more independent teenagers choosing non-traditional foods, have fueled growth in the country’s ready-to-eat foods sector in recent years. In 2006, snacks and ready-to-eat products demonstrated over 5 percent annual growth. The rise of American-themed fast food chains and restaurants has also contributed to the demand for additional food products.

Commercial catering was the most dynamic portion of the food service sector in 2006, with sales totaling $90 billion. Included in that market are fast food and alternate distribution outlets, such as gas stations, street vendors, and transport areas, as well as delivered catering. These points of sale are operated by large corporations or franchises with central buying offices, or by cash-and-carry channels or specialized wholesalers.

Opportunities in France are best for U.S. exporters with niche products such as pizza, confectionery and chocolate products, nutritional bars, snack foods, bagels, wraps, ice creams, fruit juices and soft drinks, chips, dried fruits and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, beef jerky, soups, and conveniencefoods. The ready to-eat-market in France also provides opportunities for hot drinks such as coffee or tea.

SUSTA will exhibit at the SIAL Paris show in October. Visit www.susta.org/events for more information and to reserve a space in the Southern Originals pavilion at the show. For more information about France’s retail market, check the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Attache reports at www.fas.usda.gov.

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