Services for Exporters

Are you new to exporting? Or already exporting your products from Ontario?  Through the Ministry of Natural Resource’s Business Development Branch, the Ontario government helps forestry and value-added wood product companies make the most of their export opportunities.

Supplying Market Intelligence

Our staff provides advice and market information to exporters, as well as sourcing marketing information for those looking to expand their sales base. We also develop market intelligence studies to help industry to better understand customer needs. Some of these studies concentrate on a specific geographic market for a variety of products, while others may focus on export opportunities for specific product in a number of markets. 

Opportunities for Ontario Wood Product Exports to the European Union

The forest products sector is a global marketplace with Canadian companies competing around the world. The European Union (EU) region has historically been one of Ontario’s largest wood products trading partners, however the recent economic downturn has negatively impacted Ontario wood exports to the EU as the EU has focused internally for wood products.

Based upon a review of the markets in these EU countries for each product and the Ontario manufacturing industry for these products several potential opportunities for Ontario to increase its market share into the EU Region were identified:

• Hardwood lumber exports to Germany and Italy
• Solid wood flooring exports to Germany, France and Italy
• Wood furniture exports to Germany and France

Building Capacity

Working with our partners we support the development and delivery of workshops and seminars to assist potential exporters to access new market opportunities. We seek to help entrepreneurs, executives and managers in the wood-manufacturing industry to build an understanding of the issues associated with international trade and the skills they’ll need to take advantage of these markets.

One of our partners, the Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC), will be offering workshops across Ontario throughout 2012 on international trade realities and strategies; information you’ll need to compete in the global marketplace and capitalize on a world of opportunity. Dates and locations are available on the WMC website.

Facilitating Relationships

We assist with buyer or exporter inquiries by helping to match buyers with potential suppliers. We also provide support for incoming and outgoing missions to enable buyers to meet Ontario suppliers and view production facilities first hand. A secondary purpose for these events is promoting an awareness of the environmental attributes of Ontario wood products to perspective buyers.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) arranges for Ontario companies to participate in selected international trade shows. These shows help you contact potential buyers and showcase your products. MNR staff can advise you about the major international trade shows that could fit your company's strategies. Participating in these shows and associated missions help Ontario companies connect with key importers and distributors around the world. Experience has shown that these personal contacts are critical to winning in export markets. These events can help you generate export sales, get in-market exposure, meet buyers face-to-face and gather first-hand information about export markets.

Addressing Market Access

We work with industry, other provinces and the federal government to help it overcome non-tariff trade barriers, protect and enhance market access for Canadian wood products. We do this by making sure that perspective buyers of our products and our trading partners are aware of the environmental attributes of Ontario wood products. 

For additional exporting assistance and for assistance with other business sectors, visit: www.ontarioexports.com