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Visit Food Importers In Washington D.C. To Encourage Curation For Market Entry In The U.S

The Ministry of Trade, through the Trade Attaché in Washington D.C., visited the importer and distributor Eastland Food Corporation in the United States on December 9, 2024. This visit aims to promote Indonesian products, especially food and beverages, in the U.S. market through careful selection to meet local demand.

According to Ranitya Kusumadewi, the Trade Attaché in Washington D.C., the Ministry will continue to collaborate with various parties to boost food and beverage exports to the U.S.

"The Ministry of Trade will work with different stakeholders to intensify the selection of Indonesian food and beverage products ready for the U.S. market. These products will be connected with Eastland Food Corporation. We are also preparing a business exploration agenda to take place soon, with the next event scheduled for January 2025," Ranitya stated.

Ida Bagus Made Bimantara, the Acting Chargé d'Affaires at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C., emphasized the need to strengthen the partnership with Eastland Food Corporation. He noted that this company has successfully marketed Indonesian food and beverage products. "The partnership between the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C. and Eastland Food Corporation should be enhanced. Eastland Food Corporation has a proven track record in promoting Indonesian food and beverage products," Sade mentioned.

Product Readiness and Understanding

Eastland Food Corporation is a key importer and distributor of Asian food and beverage products based in Maryland. As it plans to expand into major supermarkets in the U.S., Eastland Food Corporation is eager to connect with more Indonesian products. Meanwhile, Indonesian businesses and the Indonesian government need to ensure that Indonesian products are ready and that exporters understand the regulations, requirements, trends, and consumer preferences in the U.S. food and beverage market.

Ranitya states that there are several basic requirements to export food products to the U.S. The first requirement is understanding the regulations and rules in the U.S. All food products sold in the U.S. must comply with the standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These food regulations are based on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which includes the obligation to register food production facilities.

Another requirement is the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), which ensures that imported food products meet U.S. food safety standards. This is to protect consumers, maintain supplier reputation, and ensure compliance with regulations. Under the FSVP, importers are responsible for verifying that foreign suppliers adhere to the food safety rules established by the FDA. More information can be found at the link https://bit.ly/4gvyJQS.

According to Ranitya, food products with optional certifications like organic, fair trade, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and non-Genetically Modified Organisms (non-GMO) have added value.

The second basic requirement is knowledge of market trends and consumer preferences. Exporters should develop products that appeal to the U.S. market. Oscar Mekhaya, CEO of Eastland Food Corporation, notes that many foreign food products are offered but do not match the characteristics of the U.S. market, even if they are strong products in their home countries.

Mekhaya believes that Asian products need to understand market positioning to create more effective marketing strategies. Products must also adapt to American habits and culture. The third basic requirement is readiness in production capacity. To meet market demand, businesses targeting the U.S. market need to pay attention to and anticipate availability.

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Tag: Eastland Food Corporation Ministry Of Trade