How In-Market Representatives Help Bring Suppliers New Leads

Food Export–Northeast’s In-Market Representatives serve as supplier eyes and ears on the ground when exploring export opportunities in various international markets.



Food Export–Northeast’s In-Market Representatives serve as supplier eyes and ears on the ground when exploring export opportunities in various international markets. In 2019, our In-Market Representatives delivered a total of 87 qualified seafood leads to Northeast U.S. suppliers for export consideration.

Building Market Relationships

Food Export–Northeast’s comprehensive network of In-Market Representatives are experts in their regional seafood industry. We have 19 In-Market Representatives serving Europe, North Asia, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Mexico, Canada, Oceania, and the Middle East. They spend their time networking and attending food events, expos, and trade shows to develop long lasting buyer relationships in their designated market. Their ability to network with buyers is invaluable to suppliers looking to expand into a market but aren’t sure where to start or which buyers are the right fit for their products. At trade shows and events, In-Market Representatives meet with buyers with an expressed interest in Northeast U.S. seafood products. If it’s a potential new buyer, the In-Market Representative conducts research to ensure the buyer is legitimate, and then explores product interest, requirements and much more.

A Comprehensive Database to Match Suppliers and Buyers

After In-Market Representatives verify potential buyers, the contacts are submitted to the Food Export–Northeast database for matching. This database is a comprehensive catalog of supplier profiles that includes everything from a company’s description to offered products. After the In-Market Representative inputs the information, the database matches buyers with appropriate Northeast U.S. seafood suppliers to find the best possible business partners.

To ensure suppliers are matched to the best leads, it’s extremely important that they continuously update their profile in the Food Export–Northeast database. For example, if a profile doesn’t have the company’s logo or their product images, the legitimacy of the business can be called into question. Additionally, providing complete details and answering questions, such as “Do you provide frozen or live products?”, can help make better matches between potential business partners. Food Export–Northeast is available to help suppliers update their profiles – please get in touch if you need assistance.

Passing Off Leads to the Appropriate Parties

The last step in the process is delivering matched database leads to both the supplier and the buyer. From this point, Food Export–Northeast’s team relies on suppliers and buyers to make the best decisions for their business, but we are here to support the process and ensure everyone is getting what they need.

Learn more about the ways Food Export–Northeast can support your business needs in 2020. Contact us today.


About Food Export USA – Northeast 

With its extensive programs and educational offerings, Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is recognized as the preeminent expert and cost-effective resource for Northeast seafood and agricultural suppliers looking to sell their products overseas. Founded in 1973, Food Export–Northeast is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with its 10 member states’ agricultural promotion agencies from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, to facilitate trade between suppliers and worldwide importers and to promote the export of food, agricultural and seafood products from those states. Since its founding, the organization has helped Northeast seafood suppliers gain access to a broad range of export markets, supported overseas in-market educational and promotional programs and offers emerging suppliers access to funds to help grow their export business. The organization is funded through the Market Access Program (MAP), administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

Learn more about us and what we do for the Northeast seafood industry here.  Contact us.