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Why Export?

Exporting is an excellent way to expand and grow your business!

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Benefits of Exporting

Increased Sales:
Nearly 95% of the world’s population resides outside of the United States,  which means the additional sales growth is very likely from exporting.

Economies of Scale:
By producing at capacity, fixed costs are lowered per unit, especially if little or no adaptation is required.

Reduced Risk:
Exporting diversifies risk and helps protect business in the event of a domestic slow-down.  

Knowledge and Experience:
The knowledge gained from exporting to one country can often be applied to other regions of the world.
 
Higher Profit Margins:
Niche or specialty products may face less competition, and therefore, sell for a higher price. Additionally, export sales volumes are often larger than the domestic equivalent.

Public Relations:
Exporting success creates manufacturing jobs and success stories that may be of interest to local media.

Overseas Growth

Exports of consumer food products are growing 3x faster than sales here in the U.S. They have soared in recent years in response to consumers' growing purchasing power and lower trade barriers. Exports of consumer-ready food products still suggest a long-term upward trend, having grown 10% between 2016 and 2019. An increase of $6.3 billion, or nearly $1.6 billion a year in growth of consumer food exports on an annual basis.

Small Companies Can Be Successful Exporters

It's a popular misconception that only large companies can succeed overseas. Indeed, many small companies have found that their competitive advantage lies in some form of technological or creative advantage. Many have "unique" or "niche-type" products that are always in demand overseas!

International Markets More Accessible

As of 2020, 15+ Free Trade agreements with over 20 different countries have been created to help decrease America's trade deficit. These trade agreements have lowered many trade restrictions for U.S. products, giving U.S. exporters an unprecedented level of access to many international markets. These reductions have helped all U.S agricultural exporters, but in many instances have been particularly advantageous for exporters of value-added food and agricultural products.

View a list of trade agreements currently in force on the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service website.

Export Assistance Is Available

Many companies shy away from exporting because they don't know how or where to get started. Fortunately, help is available! Food Export-Midwest, Food Export-Northeast, your local state agricultural promotion agency and other export providers can provide your company with a wide range of export assistance to help introduce you to the world of exporting.

Learn more about the Export Education, Market Entry, and Market Promotion programs we have available to see how they can help you become a more experienced exporter.

To read about some of the successes our participants have had using our programs, visit our Success Story page.

Economic Growth

Consumer preferences, shaped primarily by incomes, changing lifestyles, and evolving cultural preferences, largely determine the items available in grocery stores in different markets. In developing-country markets, higher incomes result in diet upgrades, with increased demand for meats, dairy products, and other higher value food products. These include packaged cereals, pasta, oils, and other items used in meal preparations.

U.S. Competitive Advantage

Another contributor to the growth in value-added food exports is U.S. food exporters' competitive advantage in food processing. U.S. and Western Europe are considered to have the largest amounts of food and manufacturing centers. Many U.S. firms lead the way in adopting new technologies and in meeting the ever-changing consumer demand and trends, making them better able to customize their products for foreign consumers. Many are thus able to supply the types of foods products that are most in demand, including convenience foods like home meal replacement items, private label products, and niche-type products such as organic and functional products.

 

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Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast reserve the right to deny services to any firm or individual which, in the sole opinion of Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast, does not comply with FAS, MAP or Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast regulations or policies, or otherwise offer the best opportunity to achieve its mission of increasing food and agricultural exports. Submission of any false or misleading information may be grounds for rejection or subsequent revocation of any application or participation. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are equal opportunity employers and providers.