WCMA Dairy Export Workgroup Meeting

Here's a look at our agenda:

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. (CT): Registration & Networking

10:00 - 10:05: Welcome and Introductions

10:05 - 10:20: Status Update on Dairy & Cheese Exporting

• Presenter:
  • Monica Ganley, Senior Director, Global Trade Analysis, U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC)

10:20-10:50: Determining Trustworthy Partners for New Export Ventures 

• Presenters:
  • Jacqueline Cook, Owner & Consultant, Cook Alpine Ltd.
  • Todd Osterman, One Source Risk Management
• Topics include:
  • Qualifying Leads for Export Opportunities
  • Selecting Reliable Distributors
  • Vetting and Evaluating Potential Business Partners
    • Key criteria for identifying reputable companies
    • Due diligence and risk assessment strategies 

10:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CT):  Setting the Right Price for a Global Market: Key Considerations for Setting Prices of Dairy Products for Export

• Presenters:
  • Executive Leadership Representative, Ausfine Foods
  • Jacqueline Cook, Owner & Consultant, Cook Alpine Ltd.
• Topics include:
  • Market conditions & demand forecasts
  • Cost of production & supply chain factors
  • Currency exchange rates and international trade policies
  • Competitor pricing and global dairy market trends
  • Tariffs, duties, and regulatory compliance
  • Strategies for hedging futures to set prices for dairy exports
• Presenter:
  • Mike Christensen, Commodity Risk Team Leader, Schreiber Foods
• Topics Include:
  • Utilizing futures contracts to stabilize dairy export prices
  • Criteria for engaging a hedging firm
    • When and why to involve hedging services
    • Risk management strategies and cost-benefit analysis  

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.: Lunch

12:30 – 2:00/2:30 p.m.: U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Update

• Presenters:
  • Marie Lemieux, Senior Advisor and Client Director, PAA Advisory | Conseils
  • Joe Dal Ferro, Chair of the International Cheese Council of Canada and President of Finica Food Specialties LTD
  • Shawna Morris, Senior Director, Consortium for Common Food Names
  • Sam Allison, Director of Global Sales, Sartori Cheese
• Topics Include:
  • Overview of current progress and challenges
  • Quotas for Canadian sales under USMCA
  • Impact on trade flows and market access
  • Compliance with established quotas
  • Common Food Names in Mexican Markets
    • Issues surrounding protected geographical indications (GIs)
    • Negotiations on the use of common food names
    • Implications for U.S. Exporters
  • USMCA Panel and Q&A 

2:30 p.m.:  Adjournment