Canby, Ore.-based boutique agricultural distributor Dragonberry Produce and its founder, Amy Nguyen, received a Global Trade Award during presentations last week honoring various sectors' contributions to Oregon's economy.

The company, which specializes in unique fruits and vegetables from farms in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, won the award in a mid-sized businesses' category April 8. Other recipients included a sportswear company and Travel Portland.

The awards were presented by the Oregon Consular Corps, which promotes global trade and honors scholars and companies in various sectors. This group's annual Celebrate Trade event was held virtually this year because of coronavirus-related restrictions on public gatherings.

“Thank you, Amy and Dragonberry Produce, for all your contributions to agricultural trade in Oregon,” said Alexis Taylor, Director, Oregon Department of Agriculture. “Trade is crucial to Oregon’s economy and agricultural industry. In 2019, the state exported $2.3 billion in food and agriculture products to nearly 120 different counties. Amy’s entrepreneurial spirit, investments in energy efficiency, and dedication to delivering the highest quality products continue to build Oregon’s reputation worldwide.”

Global Trade Award evaluators examined entrepreneurial aptitude, commercial knowledge, vision, ambition, and drive to build a thriving international enterprise in choosing winners, according to a news release..

Evaluators say they were impressed with how Dragonberry Produce developed new growth opportunities abroad, both the import and export sides, that resulted in increased sales, profit, market share, and geographical expansion.