Exploring new markets

[TomW]

Hello,

our small company is in import/export business for food raw materials.
We want to expand to the next country, we have already offices in
4 other countries.

At first we should find everything about the market and which products we could sell there.

As I asked the boss how did he do it in another countries, he
told me, the only way is to call one company after another, offer them our
products and wait for their reaction about our prices, and try to get so
much informations as possible, about the market, the prices, the competition.

It sounds like stone age methods to me.

But as I tried to find some
informations on internet, there is nothing. I can just find few competitors
and their products, but no prices. And the most companies will buy
the products from competitors abroad, so I cannot even find the most competitors.

Is there somebody here with experience in exploring new markets?
Is there maybe some good book, website or blog about this topic?

Thank you

[zooz]

here is an article i hope that will help u out. the topic is blue ocean.
good luck!

[mike-nash]

Your best bet would be to find a market research company, and I believe there are quite a few in the UK. For one you can try Euromonitor. Such companies usually have databases of info on countries on a wide range of subjects, and I am pretty sure the food industry would be one of em.

[georgewkw]

You need and exeperienced International Sales and Marketing person to guide you through the steps.
In this field there is no book or any other method of learning, except through the physical experiences and guidance from someone who is a Pro in this field.
I have been developing markets for companies in the FMCG industry for over 20 years, and can offer your company my services.
Tip: Competitors can also be Customers

[profitxchange]

Before spending lots of money contact your local UK TRADE INVEST they can offer a number of export market research options. It is a while since I have used them but it cost pocket money and the results were good. Well worht a call to them. they have a website but talk is better.

[figurewizard]

How about simply travelling to your target market's country and visiting the sort of stores (presumably supermarkets) and noting down those brands that you see could work with your products. In the event that you encounter own brand items, note as much detail as possible to give you search terms that can enable you to find the manufacturer on the internet. Country of origin often appears on such packaging, which would help focus your options. Certainly this would be better than the blind scattergun approach that was suggested to you.

Joe