Growing Global

Expand Your International Sales, Expand Your Bottomline
International Trade Assistance for APPMA Members

By Food Export Midwest and Northeast

The world market for pet products is growing faster than ever before. U.S. pet food and agricultural product suppliers are can easily take advantage of the global demand for high quality pet products. The opportunities in international trade are undeniable, and export assistance is available.

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are non-profit associations of state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of pet food products. Two additional regional associations assist suppliers in the Western and Southern regions of the U.S. Food Export–Midwest's and Food Export–Northeast's services may help APPMA members learn if a country is a fit for your pet products, meet key international buyers, and double your global marketing efforts. Pet food producers may benefit from…

Food Export Helpline™ — Customized Export Assistance
Whether you have a quick question about exporting or need long-term assistance, this free service provides one-on-one assistance on a wide variety of export–related topics like:

Assessing your company's export readiness
Providing a list of the top 25 markets for your product
Helping you respond to trade leads
Assisting with export pricing, quotations, and documents
Understanding free trade agreement regulations
Providing secondary market research
Assisting with trade event preparation

MarketBuilder—Which Market is Right for Your Product?
MarketBuider is a one-of-a-kind package with two segments—MarketScan and RepFinder. You can take advantage of one or both. MarketScan includes a store check and distribution analysis, competitive product samples, importation analysis, distributor referrals, and a list of potential importers. If you decide to visit a country, RepFinder provides in-market assistance including setting up and moderating three appointments with importers and providing interpreters if necessary.

Buyers Missions—The World Brought to You
Held in-conjunction with next year’s Global Pet Expo, the Global Pet Foods Buyers Mission, will be held February 13, 2008, in San Diego, California. This Buyers Mission is a cost-effective, convenient way to connect with pet product buyers from around the world and potentially increase your exporting sales. Pre-arranged, one-on-one meetings will take place right here in the U.S., bringing motivated importers together with U.S. suppliers for potential business partnerships, as well as live feedback about you product.

Branded Program — Stretch Your International Marketing Dollars
The Branded Program is a cost-share service that assists small U.S. suppliers with promoting your brand name pet food products overseas. Once approved, participants receive a 50 percent cost reimbursement on eligible marketing and promotional activities such as:

Exhibiting fees at international tradeshows, as well as approved domestic tradeshows with international attendance (for first-time exhibitors only)
Advertising and public relations
Product demos and in-store promotions
Product literature and point-of-sale materials
Freight for samples
Package and label modifications (if necessary to meet foreign importing requirements)

For more information on the Branded Program click here.

Increasing Pet Food Exports…Increasing Your Bottom Line
Contact us to discuss how we can help you at info@foodexport.org or 312.334.9200.