Success Stories
Exporting from the U.S.
From a first-time sale with a freshly gained distributor to record sales at a trade show, we celebrate the many paths of success achieved by our participating companies exporting from the U.S.
Oregon Hazelnuts Stay in Front of Chinese Buyers with Support from WUSATA
Northwest Hazelnut Company, a small agribusiness from Oregon, is keeping Oregon-grown hazelnuts in front of international buyers by participating in the 2018 FundMatch Program. FundMatch is coordinated by the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) and funded by the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP). During 2018, they attended the SIAL China trade show, which is a key opportunity to stay in front of their customer base and promote value-added products, such as processed nut forms.
WUSATA Helps Washington Fresh Fruit Supplier Find New International Customers
During a series of face-to-face meetings with buyers, the small company met with a new distributor and secured their first order for fresh Washington cherries. The initial air-shipped orders were completed in the summer of 2019 and have generated new revenue valued at nearly $28,000. S.A. International expects to continue doing business with this distributor for future crop harvests.
JaceyCakes Doubles UK Sales Thanks to WUSATA Support
By using FundMatch, they were able to double sales in the UK from 2017 to 2018 by launching a direct-to-consumer approach that works particularly well in the UK and Europe. JaceyCakes also uses FundMatch to exhibit at trade shows that attract large numbers of international buyers, such as Expo West.
WUSATA Helps Caffe D’Vita Develop Thriving Middle East Market
They were able to attend the show in 2019 by using WUSATA’s cost-matching program FundMatch, which is also funded by MAP. With a new distributor in place in the UAE, Caffe D’Vita has increased sales in the Middle East 100% over the previous year, and they expect that growth to continue into 2020.
WUSATA Trade Mission Helps Bell-Carter Foods Net Chinese Buyer
Bell-Carter Foods is a family-owned table olive and olive oil supplier from Lafayette, California. Since international accounts can develop from any number of network connections, they make sure to participate in outbound trade missions coordinated by the Global Connect program of the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), and funded through the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP). One unexpected but welcome customer that resulted from the 2018 USDA Outbound Trade Mission to Taiwan is Costco in mainland China.
WUSATA Trade Mission Helps Noh Foods Launch and Double Sales in Australia
NOH Foods of Hawaii is a minority-owned seasoning and sauce manufacturer based in Honolulu, HI. After participating in the 2018 Australia Inbound Trade Mission to Natural Products Expo West, they gained a line on a distributor from Australia who also serves Canada and Europe.
WUSATA Helps Arizona Pet Company Break into the Chinese Market
Vet Worthy, a rapidly growing pet products supplier based out of Tempe, Arizona, joined the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association in 2016. Since joining, they have utilized WUSATA’s FundMatch Program, funded through the Market Access Program (MAP),to double their impact at trades shows by increasing the size of their booth space and displays.
Exporter of the Year Award goes to Colorado Based WUSATA Participant
Colorado based company, East West Beer Exchange, was founded in 2017 after CEO, Drew Wolman, identified a need for US craft beers in eastern Europe. Little by little the company grew and are now exporting craft beers from 16 American Breweries to 12 European countries. In 2022, they joined the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association’s FundMatch Program, funded by the USDA’s Market Access Program. They utilized the funding to increase the number of samples and giveaway items they brought to the International Food & Drink Event in London which they attended alongside the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the USDA. At the event, they made connections with 15 buyers from the Netherlands and 12 buyers from the United Kingdon. Since then, they have done business with 3 of the buyers from the Netherlands and are in “very promising” talks with a buyer from the UK.
FundMatch Program Reduces Barriers to International Markets for Utah-Based Company
PROBAR joined the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association’s FundMatch program in 2019. Based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, the company specializes in healthy, plant-based meal replacement bars. The FundMatch program, which is funded by the USDA’s Market Access Program, has helped the company via 50% reimbursement for packaging that meets each foreign countries’ requirements. With their country-compliant packaging, they have been able to meet market specific needs and reach consumers in their native languages, nearly doubling their global reach since joining. They are now exporting their products to 28 countries including Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany, to name a few.