Department Hosting Canadian Inbound Trade Mission July 23-24

Alcohol Beverage Agents Interested in Local Beer, Wine and Spirits

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Feb. 6, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture will host an inbound trade mission of Canadian alcohol beverage agents, July 23-24. Agents licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) are interested in sourcing Maryland-produced beer, liquor and wine. They will tour facilities and meet one-on-one with local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. The mission is funded by the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), of which the department is a member.

Participants must be small companies and sell products of at least 50 percent U.S. origin. Since the mission is supported by federal funds, interested companies must pre-qualify with SUSTA to participate. There is a nominal registration fee of $25. More info is available on the department’s website.

SUSTA will offer a webinar for interested breweries, wineries, and distilleries on March 1. The webinar will help producers understand the Canadian market and gain better insight on what the agents will be looking to purchase. Other topics will include an introduction to the Canadian market and selling alcoholic beverages in Canada; the regulations and requirements; how to work with an agent there; and doing business with Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

Canada is the second largest export market for U.S. agricultural products at a value of $20.2 billion. In 2016, U.S. producers totaled $583 million in beer and wine exports to Canada.

For more information on the trade mission and the webinar, contact Theresa Brophy at theresa.brophy@maryland.gov, 410-841-5781.

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