(Courtesy Photo)

TOPEKA – Three Kansas food companies and the Kansas Department of Agriculture joined the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a trade mission to Russia in early December including the Pantry Shelf in Hutchinson.

USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse led the mission, which focused on markets in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Twenty-three companies from across the United States and representatives from five state departments of agriculture traveled with Scuse on the mission.

Kansas agricultural exports to all countries in 2011 amounted to $5.3 billion and supported more than 41,000 jobs on and off the farm. These exports from Kansas contributed to the Kansas farm economy, which had total cash receipts of $15.9 billion in 2011.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has made Russia a priority market for future agricultural exports. This was the first trade mission Kansas participated in that focused on specialty food products.

Other participating companies include the Original Juan Specialty Foods of Kansas City, Kan., and Rabbit Creek Products of Louisburg.

Participating companies were able to learn valuable information regarding retail, foodservice and general consumer demands in the Russian marketplace. Participants began the trade mission in Moscow and concluded with a port and logistical overview in St. Petersburg.