Contact: Barbara Haumann (802-275-3820; bhaumann@ota.com)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 6, 2011) – U.S. companies eager to promote their organic products in international markets have the opportunity to do so this September without traveling overseas. This is due to a Reverse Trade and Foreign Buyers’ Mission organized by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) to be held in conjunction with All Things Organic-BioFach America at Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, MD.

This Foreign Buyers’ Mission will include buyers from Bahrain, Guatemala, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sweden, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. During the one-on-one visits, U.S. organic company representatives can discuss their products, make on-the-spot sales, and pave the way for productive long-term relationships with international buyers.

The importance of agricultural exports to the U.S. economy is clearly evident in President Obama’s promotion of the National Export Initiative, whose goal is to double U.S. exports over five years. Domestic and international organic markets continue to grow and outpace conventional food, even during the depths of the recession. In 2010, the U.S. organic food market grew eight percent while conventional food only experienced 0.6 percent growth. Organic exports are an important growth driver for the organic industry, and have been even more important to the health of the industry during the current economic slowdown.

“Reverse Trade Mission meetings link U.S. organic companies to pre-qualified buyers from established and emerging international markets. For companies prepared to supply organic products to the export market, you can’t find a more efficient or productive format than an OTA Reverse Trade Mission,” said Christine Bushway, Executive Director and CEO of OTA.

The face-to-face meetings with foreign buyers visiting the United States Sept. 22-23 at the Baltimore Convention Center are made possible through funding for the U.S. organic sector provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access Program, as administered by OTA through its Organic Export Program.

In order to participate, organic companies must have a U.S.-origin product certified to the National Organic Program (NOP). They do not need to be an exhibitor at the show to participate in the meetings. U.S. organic companies wishing to participate need to fill out and submit an application form, along with a $50 participation fee by Sept. 15. The form can be faxed to 504-613-4533 or sent via e-mail.

For more information, contact Jessica Poingt, OTA’s International Trade Manager.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

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