Skip to main content

Agribusiness Industry Tours

​Hosting Foreign Buyers - International visitors and buying teams are hosted regularly by the Department. Staff will arrange meetings with international buyers and Illinois companies. We provide information and logistical assistance to bring buyers and sellers together.

Industry Tours - The Department's international staff recruit qualified foreign buyers to participate in tours of key ag industry segments within our state. These tours are designed to teach potential trade partners about these Illinois industries and to reinforce the advantages of buying high-quality Illinois agricultural products. After making contacts and becoming interested in business opportunities here, we hope participants will establish long-term business relationships in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture hosts multiple tours throughout the year:

  • IL Pork Tour: in conjunction with World Pork Expo
  • IL Dairy Tour: in conjunction with World Dairy Expo
  • IL Grain Tour: to highlight corn and soybean production within the state 
  • Mini tours are also organized throughout the year on a case-by-case basis

Tour Hosts and Sponsors - Businesses and organizations interested in hosting tour stops or sponsoring an event for tour participants are encouraged to contact our representatives. Our goal is to create contacts that can develop into long-term business relationships. While logistics often pre-determine what stops are possible, we want to make these visits by foreign buyers as productive as time allows.

For more information please contact our local tour coordinators or a foreign trade director:

Bobby Dowson, 217-782-4755, bobby.dowson@illinois.gov

Katie Lemenager, 217-782-2581, katie.lemenager@illinois.gov

Each of the Department's foreign offices is staffed with professionals who provide the following services:

  • Organize and host trade missions.
  • Provide market information and consulting services.
  • Participate in trade shows, catalog shows and other promotions.
  • Originate trade leads.
  • Work with embassies and Foreign Agricultural Service offices.

Hong Kong Office

Hailey Hui, Trade Director, idoahk@hkstar.com
Phone: 011.852.2.504.0123, FAX: 011.852.2.576.5766
16/F, 700 Nathan Road
Kowloon, Hong Kong

Mexico Office

Carlos Cruz, Interim Trade Director, agrillinois@prodigy.net.mx
Phone: 011.525.533-5174, FAX: 011.525.533-5163
Paseo de la Reforma 222, Piso 18, Suite 1825
Colonia Juárez, Del. Cuauhtémoc
Ciudad de México 06600