Market Development
As you grow your food business, you will need to continuously analyze market trends and capitalize on opportunities for innovation. These opportunities can include diversifying your product lines or marketing your products in new distribution channels in local, domestic and international markets.
Keep in mind that in the current age of responsible consumerism, today's consumers prioritize supply chain transparency, sustainability and health and wellness. There is an increased demand for local foods, with an emphasis on protein-based foods.
Market Research
As you grow your business, continue conducting market research to make better business decisions and maintain your competitive edge.
Statistical information on sales and market trends can be found on the Manitoba Agriculture Food and Value Added Agriculture Statistics page.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Market Intelligence Reports
- AAFC Agri-food international market intelligence service
- Agri-Food Economic Research and Analysis
- Canadian Trade Commissioner Service International market and sector information
- EDC Trade Insights
- Food and Value Added Agriculture Statistics
- Government of Canada research and business intelligence
- Sustainability Trends webinar
- Industry sustainability drivers
- Plant Protein Trends, Innovation and Opportunities
- Manitoba's Protein Sector
- World Trade Centre Winnipeg Market Research Service
Marketing Strategies
Create a comprehensive marketing plan that helps formalize your marketing ideas and concepts. As you grow your business, plan to review your marketing strategy regularly to ensure it still aligns with your business goals and strategy.
Today, everything is digital, so it is important to consider including a digital marketing component in your marketing strategy to capture the growing online grocery market. If done correctly, your marketing strategy will increase brand awareness and loyalty and will allow you to efficiently and effectively reach your target audience.
- Writing a Marketing Plan for Your Food Product
- Food Digital Marketing - A Case Study
- Is your Food Company Ready for E-Commerce?
- E-Commerce and Digital Business Guide for Canadian Food and Beverage Companies
- Choosing the Right Distributor for Your Food Product
- Consolidator Services for Agri-food and Perishables
- Food and Bio-Product Warehousing and Distribution Services Finder App
Trade
As you grow your business, consider expanding sales of your product into domestic and international markets. Interprovincial trading or exporting your product can boost your business's profile, provide access to new customers and revenues, and mitigate risk through market diversification. To determine your level of interprovincial trade or export readiness, read Getting Ready to Interprovinically Trade Your Food Product or Getting Ready to Export your Food Product.
- Getting ready to Interprovincially Trade Your Food Product
- Getting ready to Export your Food product
- Tips for a Successful Food and Beverage Trade Show
- Trade Show Checklist for Food Businesses
- How to Make Exhibiting at a Virtual Trade Show a Success
- Trade show strategy: Before, during and after
- Connect with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
- Canadian Trade Commissioner Service International Market and Sector Information
- Canada's Free Trade Agreements
- Canada Tariff Finder
- Canadian Trade Commissioner Service Export Guide and Statistics
- Selling via E-e commerce in the United States
- Canadian Craft Beer: Step-by-Step Guide for Exporting
- Canada Border Services Agency: Canadian exporting processes and requirements
- Global value chains
- Responsible business conduct abroad
- Protecting your Intellectual property abroad
- CME Initiatives and Reports
- CME Trade & Export Guides
- FITT Small Business Guide: The Scaling Up Edition
- EDC Trade Insights
- Doing Business in the Agri-food sector in Mexico (PDF)
- Exporting to Mexico: A Guide for Canadian Food and Beverage Processors
- Shipping Samples to Mexico
- Food Labelling Requirements in Mexico - Webinar
- Make the Most of your Buyers Meeting in Mexico
- World Trade Centre Winnipeg International Market Advisory Service