6. International marketing and tradeOTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s membership, including growers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, retailers and others, represents over 4,500 certified organic operations in the United States. www.OTA.com Nutrition and Horticulture
7. Organic Exports Yes, we export either directly or indirectly: 53% Nutrition and Horticulture No, but we are planning to: 16% No, and we are not interested: 31%
8. Market Access Program MAP finances promotional activities for the export of U.S. agricultural products. 2011 activities include a Retail Promotion & Media Outreach Tour in Hong Kong, a Fresh Produce Campaign in Canada, a US pavilion at BioFach Nuremberg and reverse trade missions at both Natural Product Expos.
9. Emerging Markets Program The EMP is a market access program that provides funding for technical assistance activities intended to promote exports of the US agricultural commodities and products to emerging markets in all geographic regions, consistent with the US foreign policy. India EMP UP Next: China EMP
13. Thank You David GagnonChief Operating OfficerOrganic Trade Association (802) 275-3825 – dgagnon@ota.com ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Organic Trade Associationwww.OTA.com Directory of U.S. Organic Exporterswww.USOrganicProducts.com Organic Business Directorywww.TheOrganicPages.com Transitioning to Organic Productionwww.HowToGoOrganic.com Consumer Educationwww.OrganicItsWorthIt.org
Editor's Notes
Just over half of survey respondents export their organic products for sale outside of the United States, either directly or through indirect channels such as distributors, brokers or consolidators. Of those not exporting, company size dis not appear to be a strong factor. The smaller companies, with sales under $5M, are the most likely to be planning to export if they aren’t yet exporting. Members that export:Dixon Ridge: UK, East Asia (not Korea), Middle East. Product = bulk organic walnutsNature’s Sun Grown Food: all of Asia but Japan, Australia, Central America. Product = processed productsUncle Matt’s Organic: Germany, France, UK, Holland, Switzerland and Japan. Product = citrusCF Fresh: UK, Italy, Malaysia, Taiwan, Canada, IsraelExcel Trade: over 60 countries. Product = many organic brandsAmy’s Kitchen: over 15 countries such as Canada, the EU, Australia, Thailand and Japan. Northland Organic Foods: Japan, Taiwan, S. Korea, South Africa, Zambia and Europe. Product = - organic Soy beans , Wheat , Oils, Lecithin, Soy mealsSK Foods: worldwide (Japan and Canada are some of most important markets). Product = - Certified Organic Beans, Grains, Seeds, Flours, Oils, Meals, SoybeansCROPP Cooperatives: Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, China and other Asian markets including Korea.
MAP…reverse trade missions, trade missions, promotions, exhibits, trade information resources (trade guide) OTA has been running MAP activities since 1999. The goal of the MAP (Market Access Program) is to finance promotional activities for the export of U.S. agricultural products. In the case of OTA the focus is put on organic.OTA is organizing 11 MAP funded programs this year including a Hong Kong Retail Promotion, & Media Outreach, a Fresh Produce campaign in Canada, a presence at BioFach Nuremberg and reverse trade missions at both Expo East and Expo West…
EMP……exploration of emerging markets…examplesOTA started using the EMP program for the first time in 2010. 2 EMPs have been granted:India EMP: this proposal is two fold. Last December a group of 4 OTA representatives went to India to complete a market assessment of the export opportunities and barriers in India as well as study their import and organic regulations. In September, at Expo East, OTA will invite an Indian delegation to the United States in the purpose of familiarizing them to the U.S. organic retail system by having them meet and consult with American retail experts. China EMP: OTA will bring Chinese certifiers, government officials, press, retail representatives and foreign buyers for the purpose of enhancing the organic production practices in the emerging market of China. The objective is to familiarize them with US technology and organic agribusiness practices by consulting with US organic certification agencies, US organic retailers, US organic farmers and US National Organic Program staff. A group of Chinese press and foreign buyers will be present at Expo West and meeting with interested US buyers.
TASC…….trade negotiations, GAP analysis, trade barriers, and so onTrade guide: OTA is developing an online International Organic Trade Resource Guide. It will identify the hurdles that US organic producers, processors, certifiers and traders are experiencing with regulatory, technical and non-tariff barriers to trade in foreign countries or regions, as well as at ports of entry.Issues Assessments: •OTA gives advice to FAS, the U.S. NOP, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding technical and non-tariff barriers to trade for U.S. organic products. •OTA establishes and manages International Organic Equivalency/Technical Trade Barrier Task Force(s) to research the impact of the development and implementation of foreign organic standards and provide the forum for multilateral discussions between stakeholders in the countries or regions where trade issue assessments, standards development and lack of equivalency agreements challenge US access to international organic markets. •OTA and Sustainable Strategies will travel to government and organic industry events, briefings and negotiations to provide analysis and briefings, participate in negotiation strategy session and provide updates, seminars and workshops to FAS, U.S. NOP, the U.S. organic industry as well as foreign governments.GAP analysis: OTA provides FAS, NOP and USTR with GAP analysis. These analysis compare specific foreign organic regulations to the US National Organic Program. They consist of detailed, side-by-side comparative analysis of the U.S. National Organic Standards and specific countries and they identify the barriers and technical barriers to exporting US organic products there.
The biggest export market for US organic products is Canada.US organic companies also export to the EU, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong.China and south east Asia are up and coming markets and US companies are starting to look towards South America.
![Organic Trade Association The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA provides the North American organic business community with: ,[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)