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Integra Foods Plays the Long Game…and Wins
Meridien Export and Packaging (DBA Integra Foods) out of Bladenboro, North Carolina, started in 2013 as an export trading company selling poultry to Korea. In 2019, tired of battling product inconsistencies, they created their own processing plant where they had more control over the product and brand.
“Before COVID, we did a lot of business in Korea and were selling turkey legs to one of the largest amusement parks there – an account we secured as a result of exhibiting at Seoul Food & Hotel with SUSTA,” said Eugene Korniychuk, Director of Business Development. “We were also using SUSTA to build brand recognition and promote retail business in Korea.”
Due to COVID disruptions, however, they lost the momentum they spent years building in Korea. “All of our contacts changed, and we had to start over.” In March 2024, they participated in the USDA trade mission to Seoul and are now building the Korean market back. SUSTA’s CostShare program helped offset those expenses. “I am not sure we would do things like participate in that trade mission or try to get into new markets, like Singapore, without SUSTA’s assistance.”
The last few years, they also been exhibited at FoodEx Japan with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPPEC), using CostShare to defray the cost. “USAPEEC knows the right poultry buyers and are a great resource.” Six or seven years later, they are now in Costco Japan, and 70% of their overall business are exports.
Exporting takes time and persistence, and the USDA’s Market Access Programs help small businesses like Meridien Export and Packaging stay in the game long enough to generate and maintain success.
SUSTA’s Market Access Programs are provided by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
