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Exporter Resources

In order to make a successful transition from locally focused production to competing on the United States market, producers and traders face a number of challenges. This section will provide a growing number of resources on various aspects related to the business of exporting - including business planning, participation at trade fairs, trade finance, insurance, marketing, packaging and related fields.

Export marketing and packaging

In order to successfully bring a product to market - and this is especially true for African producers wishing to enter the United States market - requires careful preparation. A key element entails product and company marketing which provides important publicity about the product to US-based buyers. Packaging is equally of critical importance: the product must not only be shipped securely from Africa to the US, but must appeal to US buyers (and ultimately the US consumer) visually as well as from a practical perspective. In other words, the product must be marketable in terms of product characteristics, visual elements, quality and price.  

 

Exporter readiness

Doing business with the United States can be very rewarding.

At the same time, it is a challenging undertaking that requires producers and exporters to be well-equipped to deal with. This sub-section provides a selection of resources on helping to guide the Africa-based exporter to successfully trade with the United States.  

Documents include exporter readiness assessments, export guides, guidelines on business plan templates, national exporter guides etc. 

 

National AGOA Strategies

Find various national AGOA strategies here. How are countries planning to better utilise the market preferences provided under AGOA? 

Participation at trade fairs

Participation at trade shows is often considered an important ingredient in a company's marketing mix. Trade shows bring together producers, exporters, importers and the public, and a number of other stakeholders. From the perspective of an African producer and exporter, benefits of trade shows could include the platform to acquire new customers, publicizing the product or brand, launching new products, demonstrating and promoting products, building and enhancing the company's image, increasing media interest, finding local sales representatives and even end-buyers, and even selling products by concluding commercial deals. 

Trade shows also assist producers and exporters to obtain a better understanding on local tastes and requirements, to learn more about competing products and to build relationships.

 

SPS measures, plant and animal regulations

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and other regulations are at the fundamental level aimed at protecting human and animal life from the risks and threats arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-carrying organisms in food, beverages or feedstuffs, and to reduce the risk of the spread and establishment of pests.

Examples of SPS and animal or plant health measures include inspections of products for microbiological contaminants, setting maximum allowable levels of pesticide and other residues in food, obligating the specific treatment or fumigation of products entering the United States (or other country) or requiring that products originate from specific disease-free areas. 

This section provides resources that will assist producers and exporters gain a better understanding of the United States requirements relating to SPS, plant and animal health safety issues, as relevant to African exporters accessing the United States market. 

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