Organic exporters will be able to “travel” to Asia, Europe and other spots around the globe from the comfort of their kitchen tables in September. The virtual meetings by the US-based Organic Trade Association had great opportunities. It included exploring business opportunities, learning new markets, making connections, and showing off products to top organic buyers. All the things without leaving homes or offices.
The Organic Trade Association this week announced its first set of Virtual Trade Missions for exporters of organic produce and organic processed products. The association’s International Trade team will arrange one-on-one virtual meetings with buyers from Asia, Europe, and the Gulf Region. Designed along the lines of the trade association’s successful Buyer’s Missions held annually at Natural Products Expo West and East trade shows. Last year at the annual Organic Produce Summit, the pre-arranged coordinated meetings will give organic buyers and suppliers the opportunity to discuss potential export partnerships.
“These virtual meetings are designed to help US organic companies generate new international business without having to get on a plane. While they can’t take the place of face-to-face meetings, we are excited to provide this new opportunity for companies to grow their presence overseas in the absence of in-person trade events, as we all pivot to new ways of safely doing business during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Alexis Carey, manager of International Trade, Organic Trade Association.
The Organic Trade Association is making available two separate trade mission activities, for organic produce exporters and for exporters of organic processed products. The registration fee is US$ 75/company per event. Participants will receive buyer profiles of the participating companies including contact information prior to the meetings. The Organic Trade Association is scheduling meetings based on the buyers’ requests.
Organic produce trade mission
There was a virtual trade mission for growers and exporters of organic produce with buyers. It was Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong, will be on September 1 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. All the invited buyers are from markets that are in the top ten export markets for US-grown produce. Current tracked organic produce exports to these markets were over US$ 113 million in 2019.
Organic processed products trade mission
Two virtual trade missions for exporters of organic processed products will also be held. On September 22 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Eastern Time, processed product makers and exporters can connect with buyers from. Europe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and on September 23 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, buyers from Asia will be hooked in.
The European session will feature buyers from the largest organic markets in Europe and main import hubs. In 2019, the EU (including the United Kingdom) was the sixth largest export market for US organic processed products. It is the world’s second largest market for organic products, behind the United States.
This session will also feature buyers from the UAE, which is the largest import hub for organic in the Gulf regions. In 2019, the UAE was the seventh largest single export market for US organic products, with $8.7 million worth of purchases. The Asia session will feature buyers from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the USA, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others.
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