What must be taken into account to start an oil export process?

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When we decide to start an olive oil export process, we have to think that it is a procedure that requires not only an economic investment, but also time and strategy.  We are going to see a series of steps to take into account and that are basic before starting an export process.

1. Know exactly what is the product you want to export

We know that there are different categories when it comes to virgin olive oil. You have to be clear about the quality of our oil, and know what exactly you are exporting. At this point, having both physicochemical and sensorial analyzes of your olive oil is necessary.

2. Analyze the olive oil market

Analyze the olive oil market at an international level to see the countries that may be more interesting. If you want to sell quality extra virgin olive oil, we will take into account among other factors:

• Number of inhabitants
• Rent per capita
• GDP
• Political situation of the country
• Trade obstacles
• Consumption habits
• Acceptance of olive oil in its gastronomy
• Olive oil consumption trend
• Olive oil competence
• Language proficiency by the exporting company
• Distance and Logistics

3. Carry out a market olive oil study

Once the country to which you are going to go has been selected, you will necessarily carry out a market olive oil study where you will take into account the following points:

• Offer - Competitor analysis. See within your range, those who are better positioned.
• Production and imports of olive oil. Check with the competent body according to the country, the status of olive oil imports.
• Demand. Analyze the situation of demand by consumers, the horeca channel and final consumers, regarding olive oil.
• Import and sale prices to the final consumer. Carry out a study of the final prices in the most influential stores.
• Perception of the nationality of your olive oil. See what is the opinion of the country in terms of olive oil of the country you are exporting from.
• Distribution channels. Know which are the most common distribution channels.
• Market access, know if there are trade barriers or obstacles between the two countries.
• Know the current legislation on olive oil, such as labeling.
• Getting to know what the prospects of the olive oil sector in the country we have selected are a priori is interesting.
• Detecting what the opportunities may be regarding the sale of olive oil in the country of destination is sometimes a great advantage.
• Gathering practical and useful information, and having it organized in a simple way will facilitate our subsequent immersion in the olive market of the country that we have selected to export olive oil.

4. Focus on your product

Once you have carried out our market study and know the country in terms of olive oil marketing, you will confirm your decision regarding the export of oil in that country and you will focus on your product.

• Design the pricing policy.
• Decide which is the best packaging to address the selected destination country.
• Analyze the differentiating elements of our brand based on the competition.
• Have a book, both online and offline, where the product or products that you want to sell are exposed.

5. Focus on your company

Once you have the product clearly worked out and identified, you will focus on your company. On the web and in the corporate image.

You must have a professional website adapted to the country where we want to export your olive oil, the language is essential to be understandable in the country to which we are going. English is the common language in the world of exports and internationalization of products, so English will be the basic language in which your website is.

The website must have a corporate image in accordance with all your packaging as well as the quality of your olive oil.

6. List of Importers and distributors

Make a list of importers and distributors that we will increase as we make incursions or relations with the country. This list will always be active so that we will eliminate or increase our database of importers and distributors of olive oil from the country we have chosen. We will have a column where we will write down all the information that we collect from each one.

7. List of Fairs

It is important to collect the olive oil sector fairs that take place in the country. The embassy of your country of origin can help you on this point. Once you have the list, you will decide which one are you interested in going to, depending on the scope of the fair and the specific interest it has for your strategy.

Attendees to the Gastronomic Fair. ESAO Image Bank

8. Study synergies

It is sometimes very effective to contemplate the possible alliances or synergies that arise. In this way, sometimes it will be of great help to have companies already established or consolidated in the destination country and that may have an interest in olive oil. In the same way, having agents or collaborators native to the destination country is also an option that we must bear in mind throughout the incursion process.

ESAO Image Bank

9. Quality seals and international awards

Having quality seals as well as international awards will be tools that will help us to start our olive oil export process. Let us remember that there will be countries such as the USA and its BRC Quality Certificate - Global Standard for Food Safety that will be essential if this has been our country selected to export olive oil.

10. Training in olive oil

Finally, carry out specific training in olive oil, before starting our export process, it will allow us to save both financial and personal costs, since it will help us make decisions based on more solid and professional criteria.