WASHINGTON, D.C. – In efforts to provide the organic industry with a valuable resource for American exporters and importers of organic industry members, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has unveiled a new and enhanced International Organic Trade Resource Guide.

“Around the world, the desire for traceable, sustainably produced food is growing, and global demand for U.S. organic has never been stronger,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director. “One of OTA’s most important missions is to promote organic, and part of that mission is helping to connect U.S. farmers, ranchers, and businesses with international buyers that are eager to bring the USDA Organic seal to their market. The better the set of data that organic businesses have to work with, the better able they are to connect with those global buyers and to compete on the world market.” 

The resource guide, accessible here, is an online resource available to the industry for free, and encompasses the most comprehensive and up-to-date market, policy, and trade information for global organic markets. According to a press release, the Guide includes in-depth information for 40 countries and 38 trade regions with the following:

• Key marketing and policy data for each region
• Latest data on a country’s organic regulations and standards
• Special requirements for imported organic products
• Certification information
• Contact connections for government agencies

The guide also hosts an interactive map that allows users to pick a country and quickly understand the growth and demand for its organic products, top retailers and brands, and consumer demographics in the respective markets. 

The company stated that this information will allow exporters to strategize for success and compare high opportunities with consistent data points across different regions. This information will be beneficial to both businesses already participating in the international market, and those just beginning to enter. 

“The complex task of understanding foreign government regulations, along with the challenges of obtaining accurate information about a non-U.S. market and the difficulties in locating and connecting with buyers, are all frequently cited as barriers to organic exports,” said Monique Marez, Director of International Trade for OTA. “The new Global Organic Trade Resource Guide equips U.S. businesses with a baseline for success.” 

The new and enhanced guide will also contain specific pages for countries, which will expand on the following in addition to integrating relevant data and analysis from Euromonitor:

• Qualitative and quantitative market information
• Educational infographics
• Detailed and in-depth policy information
• Informative “Go to Market” reports

OTA stated that demand for the organic segment in the U.S. has grown, as shown through 2015 sales hitting a new record of $43.3 billion. U.S. organic exports in 2015 reached $3.2 billion, showing the growing organic international market as well. 

The U.S. has organic equivalency arrangements with Canada, the E.U., Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Switzerland, to allow organic products that are certified in one country to be labeled and sold as such in other countries without further inspections or authorizations, according to OTA; which could potentially impact the organic integrity of the products. 

The upgrade for this resource was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program, and the department’s Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program.

OTA has worked since the mid-1990s to promote organic agricultural products in global markets, and to connect buyers and sellers. OTA’s membership represents around 85 percent of U.S. organic exports, according to the company, and offers its market promotion activities to the entire organic industry. Since 1999, OTA has been an official cooperator in USDA’s Market Access Program.

Organic Trade Association