Canada: Manitoba Harvest Expands Distribution in Europe

WINNIPEG, Manitoba–Exports of products from Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils™ have grown more than 500 percent during the past year, according to the company as it plans to exhibit its full line of hemp foods at the organic trade show BioFach from February 17 to 20, 2010.

This is the third consecutive year that Manitoba Harvest has exhibited at BioFach, which is held annually in Nuremberg, Germany. The show will feature more than 2,500 exhibitors, and is expected to attract more than 45,000 retailers and industry experts from more than 100 countries. At the show, Manitoba Harvest will announce a new distribution partnership that will help the company expand into previously untapped regions of Germany and eastern European countries such as Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. In 2009, Manitoba Harvest exported products to eight nations (in addition to the United States) including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland and Japan.

“Through our export initiatives the past few years we have gained a greater understanding of the European marketplace and we have established some key contacts and distribution partnerships,” said Alex Chwaiewsky, international sales manager. “We knew it would take time and effort to get things going, and now we are pleased with how things have progressed. Having knowledgeable local sales people meeting with retailers in the EU on our behalf is key, so our establishment of a network of experienced and reputable sales and distribution experts has been a priority.”

In addition to the Biofach show and other business in Germany, Manitoba Harvest will also participate in an international trade tour organized by the Organic Trade Association in Canada.

During the past 5 years, Manitoba Harvest’s sales have grown more than 1,000 percent earning them a spot on the Profit 100 list of the fastest growing businesses in Canada. Manitoba Harvest produces Hemp Bliss – an award-winning line of organic Hempmilks, organic cold-pressed Hemp Oil, Shelled Hemp Seed, Hemp Seed Butter and a line of innovative Hemp Protein Powders. “In addition to our own line of branded products, we are also a hemp foods ingredients supplier to manufacturers, so our export business is a two-pronged approach,” noted Mike Fata, co-founder and president.


Source: http://www.naturalproductsmarketplace.com/news/2010/02/manitoba-expands-...