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w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m S e p t e m b e r 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 13 percent from 2013's export total of $23.1 billion. e New North region's five metropolitan statistical areas exported a total of $4.3 billion in 2014, down slightly from $4.4 billion in 2013. Exports from Northeast Wisconsin comprise about 18 percent of the state's overall total. Part of the decline for Northeast Wisconsin reflects statewide trends of a slowdown in exports for industrial machinery, parts and other manufactured components, though they still represent the largest export category for the state at $6.4 billion, about 27 percent of all exports. Of the five major MSAs that comprise the New North region, Oshkosh, Appleton and Fond du Lac have seen declines in export values in 2014. Green Bay and Sheboygan, however, have seen an increase since 2013, according to the data. A fondness for Wisconsin's agriculture products, from cheese to vegetables to cranberries, has helped to offset those segments that are declining, with exports in those categories surging as producers around the state sent more than $3.6 billion worth of agriculture products overseas in 2014, an Learn more about exporting: increase of nearly 14 percent from the previous year. A developing worldwide taste for American barbecue has meant growing overseas sales for Red Arrow International, which sells natural smoke condensates for use in food products. "Smoked foods, particularly in the barbecue segment, are becoming more popular all around the world," says Christopher Gutman, managing director of Red Arrow International, a sister company to Manitowoc-based Red Arrow Products. "It's been a great trend for us." Red Arrow started exporting its products in the late 1980s aer being approached by an international export firm. e company began managing its own international sales in the 1990s and now sends products to distributors in more than 100 countries around the world. Gutman is also quick to note the cyclical challenges the company has dealt with as the dollar has strengthened and other major economies in the world have slowed. "is last year has been a really interesting year," he says. "Some markets have been extremely high, while others are really down from where they were just a few months ago. We've been hurt in Russia by the strong dollar and in Europe as the economy as a whole has slowed. But we also continue to see new markets in Asia and Africa and Mideast." ough 2015 may have begun slowly for many exporters, Pino- Gallagher says new markets are evolving — particularly in Asia — and companies with a sound strategy will find new opportunities. e challenge is helping those companies who got into exporting "accidentally" or may not realize there are adjacent markets for a product currently exported. ere are multiple state and regional programs that can help, Pino-Gallagher says. "Companies don't have to do this alone — we have a lot of export resources." Buying or Selling Real Estate? Let our boutique real estate firm guide you along the way. We represent buyers and sellers of residential properties throughout the Fox Cities. Come visit our unique office at 100 W. Lawrence Street, on the first floor of the Appleton Center. www.lhprealty.com 920-750-6415 Ed Klug and Margie Hundsrucker Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection » datcp.wisconsin.gov Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. » inwisconsin.com Global New North » www.thenewnorth.com