A group of North Dakota companies, along with North Dakota Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and members of the North Dakota Trade Office, recently took part in a trade mission to South Africa, meeting with potential customers of agricultural equipment, value-added crops, processed foods, aviation equipment and medical equipment.

“The timing of the mission was excellent because South Africa’s growing economy is increasingly supporting demand for value-added foods and other goods produced in North Dakota,” Dalrymple said.

“Our delegates have indicated that their business contacts are very promising and we fully expect to realize new export business as a result of our efforts in South Africa.”

The trade mission was supported by the South African offices of the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and the U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo.

“The mission went quite well and all the delegates look like they are moving forward on developing business as a result of the South African trade mission,” said Mark Johnson, director of international business management at the North Dakota Trade Office.

“We are highly pleased with it. (The participating companies) are moving forward with developing actual business sales. Potential customers in South Africa seem to be interested in North Dakota products.”

Representatives from six North Dakota companies took part in the trip. They included Spectrum Aeromed from Fargo, JM Grain, Inc., from Garrison, Roll-a-Ramp from West Fargo, Dakota Growers Pasta from Carrington, Sund Manufacturing Co. from Glenburn, and Paulson Premium Seed from Bowman.

Jessica Kolden, a 27-year-old trader of peas, chickpeas and lentils for JM Grain, Inc., explained that their company has a strong presence outside the U.S. and was looking to expand. “We have a number of international customers including India, France, Brazil and Pakistan,” says Kolden.

“But prior to this trip we have never had any contacts or business (relationships) with South Africa. This was a chance to get the relationship going.”

JM Grain, Inc. purchases products from area producers and processers and bags food products for shipment overseas. Kolden met with 12 different companies during the visit. She explained that although no contracts were signed with her company during the trip, there are opportunities to sell green peas and lentils in the South African market.

“There is definitely potential,” says Kolden. “It might not compare to our top customers in India, but it could become one of our top places to ship. It was a good trip.”

Also on the trip was Dean Atchison, president of Spectrum Aeromed, a Fargo-based company that designs and manufactures life support equipment and custom medical interiors for fixed- and rotor-wing aircraft. The trade mission enabled Atchison to meet with representatives from 13 companies that provide or support airambulance services throughout southern Africa.

Atchison said Spectrum Aeromed will develop a market strategy and timeline for Africa that will include sales goals.

“The market research and contacts were prepared up front,” he said. “Everything was laid out, which enabled us to get out there and focus on the face-to-face meetings with our contacts.”

The group spent a majority of their time in Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial center, but some also traveled to the cities of Cape Town and Durban to explore business opportunities. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, North Dakota’s exports to South Africa have increased 48 percent since 2004, reaching a value of $16 million last year.

Jeff Zent, communications director of the North Dakota Trade Office, explained that participants volunteered to be a part of the trade mission. “These were the companies that were particularly interested in that market and wanted to go,” Zent said.

“That really prompted us to look at the market to see if it was viable.”

Organized in 2004, the North Dakota Trade Office conducts international market research for North Dakota companies, assisting in identifying export markets best suited for products and services.

The North Dakota Trade Offi ce is a privatepublic partnership between the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the North Dakota District Export Council and the state’s business community.

Members of the Trade Offi ce staff are located in Bismarck, Fargo, Dickinson and Grand Forks. The Trade Offi ce is directed by a nine-member advisory board, which is chaired by Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple.