Washington, D.C.—The Natural Commerce Affiliation (OTA) introduced that it’s the recipient of greater than $1 million from the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Market Entry Program (MAP). The financial award might be used to advertise U.S. natural merchandise globally in 2023. OTA stated the sum is a ten% enhance from final 12 months, and is the biggest the affiliation has ever acquired from MAP.
“The Natural Commerce Affiliation is proud to have been an official cooperator in USDA’s Market Entry Program for greater than 20 years, main to large wins for the natural business,” stated Sarah Gorman, Worldwide Commerce Supervisor for OTA, in a press launch. “Our market promotion efforts have created alternatives which have generated thousands and thousands of {dollars} in new gross sales and expanded international market entry for our collaborating companies, establishing new natural clients all over the world.”
The demand for U.S.-produced natural merchandise is at an all-time excessive. Statistics from the USDA present the worth of U.S. natural exports practically doubling between 2011 and 2021. This consists of an virtually 10% enhance from 2020 to 2021. In line with the report, Canada and Mexico are the’ largest export companions, with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the EU, and United Arab Emirates additionally within the prime 10.
“Our nation’s natural farmers profit from international commerce,” stated Tom Chapman, CEO of OTA. “Connecting natural producers and companies with creating and infrequently untapped natural markets and educating shoppers in every single place about the advantages of U.S. natural assist maintain natural worthwhile and sustainable.”
The OTA expects to stay busy in 2023, that includes American-produced natural merchandise all over the world. At present, the affiliation has 10 worldwide actions scheduled for the upcoming 12 months, together with:
BIOFACH: Going down in Nuremberg, Germany, this present attracts attendees from greater than 100 nations. In line with the discharge, the OTA’s pavilion reported projected gross sales of $18 million, the best for any OTA-hosted occasion. The convention will happen Feb. 14-19.
FOOD & HOTEL Asia: The most important worldwide meals and hospitality occasion in Asia will happen April 25-28 in Singapore. This previous September, OTA debuted on the present to a crowd of over 80,000 attendees. OTA-sponsored firms had a projected $4.5 million in gross sales from the present, together with over $150,000 on-site gross sales.
Expo West, Expo East, and Natural Product Summitt consumers’ missions: These occasions join worldwide consumers of natural items with U.S. natural suppliers, OTA stated.
OTA additionally plans to proceed shopper promotion actions in targeted areas reminiscent of Canada, Japan, Korea, and the Pacific Rim. Moreover, OTA will proceed to assist natural schooling and promotion worldwide.
Associated: Highlights from SupplySide West 2022
2022 Particular person of the Yr: The Amazon.com High quality Activists
FFAR, TOC Award $627K in Tasks Advancing Natural Agriculture