Opportunities for Seafood Companies in the Branded Program - Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA

Fish and shellfish from the United States Northeast region benefit from strong consumer demand abroad. Whether it is for a new-to-export or an experienced company interested in reaching new markets, there is a myriad of opportunities for Northeast seafood businesses to export their products. Food Export-Northeast provides the tools to navigate the process of exporting globally, including financial support through the Branded Program.

The Branded Program is Food Export’s cost-share funding assistance program. Qualifying companies receive financial assistance in the form of a 50% reimbursement for overseas marketing and promotional expenses. The Branded Program is widely used by the region’s seafood industry.

The purpose of Food Export’s Branded Program is to help small U.S. businesses promote their USA products internationally to help boost exports. There are MANY ways this program can help support seafood (and all other) companies financially. Companies can receive 50% reimbursement for:

ALL types of advertising: digital, print, television, billboards, radio, direct mailing, and more!
New country-compliant packaging and labeling is also a huge expense when trying to enter a new market, including the cost to modify packaging and print a year’s supply for a foreign country.
Product demonstrations and product seminars in a foreign country. For example, if a company hires a chef to do a cooking demonstration of a product for hospitality professionals, costs such as space rental, marketing materials, and contractors would qualify for reimbursement.
Video demonstrations or promotions of products targeting a foreign audience.
The shipping cost to send sample products to potential foreign buyers.
Influencers promoting your product to a foreign market is also eligible!

Chef doing demonstration of lobster tail — *Chef demonstration of lobster tail.*

Do not hesitate to speak with a Food Export team member if you want to discuss the potential opportunities for your seafood company. The Branded team is happy to help guide you in the many ways you can use this program’s funding!

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact us. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer.

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast reserve the right to deny services to any firm or individual which, in the sole opinion of Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast, does not comply with FAS, MAP or Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast regulations or policies, or otherwise offer the best opportunity to achieve its mission of increasing food and agricultural exports. Submission of any false or misleading information may be grounds for rejection or subsequent revocation of any application or participation. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are equal opportunity employers and providers.