2024 - Your Commission at Work

Industry Collaborations Collaborative marketing efforts with similarly focused organizations help increase awareness and expand our reach to serve our members more effectively. Partnering with the following organizations has fostered alliances that have proven to be vitally important in combined effort to advance the cause of agriculture

The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI) is a non-profit organization that promotes the sweetpotato industry of the United States to both foreign and domestic buyers. This organization promotes research, with the overall goal of increasing the consumption of American-produced sweetpotatoes in all forms throughout the World. Currently, the exports of domestically-produced U.S. sweetpotatoes is 21%. Since 2013, ASPMI has made efforts to increase this percentage through USDA’s Emerging Markets Program (EMP), Market Access Program (MAP), and a recently awarded Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP). The Canadian and Mexican markets are success stories

due to the work performed by ASPMI. Other areas of research and promotional efforts include Germany, the Caribbean, Thailand, Romania, and Ukraine. The benefits of this partnership have allowed the industry to determine favorable export markets, as well as those that may not be as beneficial to our industry. As the leading U.S. sweetpotato exporting state, it is vitally important to be armed with this information. The more export opportunities available for American sweetpotatoes, the fewer left to saturate the domestic market.

Recently, Jeff Smutny was hired as ASPMI’s Executive Director. With over thirty years of experience in global marketing and leading successful business operations, he has dedicated his career to improving trade associations, demonstrating a deep commitment and passion for his work. His project management skills have led agricultural associations in various areas, including strategic planning, regulatory affairs, brand development, industry outreach, advertising & promotions, Federal program compliance, category research, public relations, and crisis management. Prior to joining the sweetpotato industry, Smutny served as the Global Director of Marketing and Regulatory Affairs for the 4,000-grower strong pecan industry. He also served in various roles for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, providing regulatory oversight of all 29 Federal marketing orders. We’re certain that Jeff’s extensive experience will help expand our international footprint. Information about joining the American Sweetpotato Marketing Institute can be found at www.americansweetpotato.org.

Jeff Smutny, ASPMI Executive Director

2024 ASPMI Marketing Activities

Country/Region

Activity

Budget

$147,000 $232,000 $90,116

Promotion on the superior attributes of U.S. sweetpotatoes

Canada Europe Mexico

47