Marketing A sample of stories and headlines from one of The Journal of Commerce's many special sections . Different strokes for different folks. The line dates to the 1960s, but it still applies when it comes to marketing U.S. export produce. Smart marketers understand this and work closely with their importers and local contacts to cater to different markets. But no matter how slick your marketing scheme, the best export advice might be the most basic.
Smart traders watch the quality of the fruit they put in the market.
Exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables are profiting from sliding ocean freight rates, but many still give ocean carriers a mixed report card on customer service. Consuming copious amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables is more American now than eating two slices of apple pie. U.S. consumers have driven a massive expansion of a year-round import market for these products, permitting suppliers from a host of nations to build their exports. Suppliers that are geographically closer to the United States are scoring the biggest gains in niche market shares, importers say.