www.oregon4biz .com/Team-Oregon/Food-Process ing/

OREGON FOOD INDUSTRY The center of the most diverse agricultural production region in the world—more than 250 crops are produced within 24 hours truck time—agriculture and food processing are traditional, well-understood and valued parts of the Oregon landscape and economy. Agriculture and food processing make up 10 percent of Oregon’s economy, and are present in all regions of the state. From 2000–2010, food manufacturing employment grew more than any other major manufacturing subsector in Oregon. Forward-looking land use and strong environmental protection of water and land resources ensure a productive and dependable source of agricultural inputs.

Oregon sets the standard for quality by which other producing regions are measured. If you want high quality, authentic foods, Oregon is the place where value is always more important than price alone.

Food InnovatorOregon has a vibrant food culture that is internationally recognized as a place where food ideas and concepts are given fertile ground to grow and develop. Oregon consistently partners with the industry to develop new innovations to bring increased profitability to producers.

Strategically LocatedThree hundred miles of Pacific coastline and 23 ports make exporting quality Oregon products easy for manufacturers. International trade is vital to Oregon’s economy. One in four Oregon manufacturing jobs is linked to international trade, and Oregon consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. states in exports per capita.

The Port of Portland offers easy, multi-modal international access, with direct flights to Japan and Europe, as well as full marine and rail connections. Because of its Pacific Rim location, Oregon is an especially easy conduit for goods traveling to and from Asia. Direct access to Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 allow for transportation up and down the West Coast.

Oregon ranked the #2 location in the U.S.

for new investment(2011 Ernst & Young COST Study)

Oregon ranked #1 manufacturing location

(2011 American Institute for Economic Research)

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FOOD PROCESSING IN OREGONFor more than 100 years, cargo ships have traveled from Oregon to ports all across the world, carrying a bounty of agricultural exports, grown or processed here in the Northwest. Oregon is home to many innovative food processing firms that transform fresh, high-quality Oregon commodities into value-added products and export them across the globe. Oregon strawberries become frozen purée to be used in ice creams and smoothies; Oregon pears are vacuum-sealed, transported and safely stored for months without losing their freshly-picked flavor and delicious crunch.

Five sectors make up just more than 60% of the food processing sales and jobs in Oregon: • frozen food manufacturing• dairy• fruit/vegetable canning, pickling,

drying • breweries, wineries and distilleries• bakery goods, pasta and tortilla

manufacturing

In 2010, agriculture and food products made up 16% of the state’s $17.7 billion in exports.

Willamette Valley Fruit Company

Industry SupportFood processors in Oregon enjoy superior marketing, regulatory and technical assistance from state and local officials. Oregon’s high quality and low-priced water and energy are critical for the food processing industry. Oregon’s low business taxes, tax incentives and the availability of a highly skilled workforce are strong reasons for investing in Oregon. The public infrastructure such as inspection, testing and certification by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, along with private services such as the Northwest Food Processors Association, create excellent technical support for food processors. Services are available for both new and established companies.

Abundant Land, Development Sites and Available Existing BuildingsOregon recognizes the importance of location and available facilities in the decision of where to do business. With this in mind, the state has developed several resources to assist companies looking to locate in Oregon.

Oregon’s industrial site certification program is recognized as one of the most comprehensive shovel-ready programs in the country. It is a rigorous program that is trusted by the market and has been a factor in many of the state’s largest employment successes. Oregon certified sites are ready for construction within six months or less and are certified “project-ready” for specific industry profiles.

Oregon’s economic development organizations, cities and counties

Oregon State University’s Food Innovation CenterThe Food Innovation Center, in Portland, is a resource for producers, processors, distributors and entrepreneurs taking foods to market, helping business thrive.

It offers under one roof:• Food Product Development

• Storage and Distribution Studies

• Sensory and Consumer Testing

• Local, National, International Market Access and Development

Tapping into the research and educational capacity of Oregon State University, and the expertise of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Food Innovation Center works directly with food and agricultural enterprises to help launch great products.

Web site: fic.oregonstate.edu/

BUSINESSOREGON775 Summer Street, NE, Suite 200Salem, OR 97301www.oregon4biz.com503–986–0123Business Oregon is an agency of the state of Oregon.

Oregon has an available food manufacturing workforce of around 68,000 (data from Oregon Employment Department, 2011)

have partnered together to provide a database of searchable commercial/industrial land and buildings throughout the state, available at www.expandinoregon.com.

Award Winning ProductsOregon’s renowned retail food products have helped put the state on the map, like Rogue Creamery’s famous Oregon Blue cheese, which beat out its global rivals at the London World Cheese

Awards, the first time an American cheese has ever won the award. And certainly not to be forgotten are Oregon’s excellent wine and craft beer producers. Oregon is home to more than 100 brewing companies and nearly 400 wineries, many of which export their products to connoisseurs worldwide. Innovation is driving Oregon’s $6.1 billion food industry. State-sponsored research is making food processors more productive while cutting energy consumption by 25 percent in the next 10 years. New products are being developed by university researchers to keep Oregon’s famous seafood fresher and more nutritious.

Export AssistanceBusiness Oregon offers export planning, market research, evaluation of international partners, grants and other services to help companies develop and expand their exports into foreign markets.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Export Service Center (ESC) assists companies with pre-export analysis and certification of food products. The ESC is located at the Food Innovation Center and is a certified customs laboratory for U.S. foods shipped to Japan, Korea and Taiwan. In addition, seventeen other countries accept ESC analytical results in lieu of testing at the destination port.

Visit www.oregon.gov/ODA/ for more information.