Why Consider Exporting?

• Overseas Growth: Exports of consumer food products are growing three times 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.
  
• Overseas Potential: 95% of the world’s population and two-thirds of total world purchasing power are located outside of the United States. Imagine the potential, as the world becomes more integrated, and develops similar likes for products.
  
• 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: Trade liberalization has helped to remove trade barriers and open up new markets for U.S. food and agricultural products, and this trend will likely continue. Consider, for example, the case of Japan. Fifteen years ago the country was highly protectionist and largely closed to U.S. exporters; today it is the #1 market for U.S. food and agricultural exports.
  
• Export Assistance Is Available: Many firms shy away from exporting because they don’t know how or where to get started. Fortunately, help is available! Food Export Association, 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.