Export Force: Knowledge Transfer Program in the Field of Sales Promotion for the Food Sector

The 'Export Force' program was designed as a knowledge transfer initiative specifically targeting the sales promotion activities within Estonia's food sector. Its core objective was to empower agricultural product producers and processors with enhanced export capabilities. By focusing on training and awareness activities related to export, the program aimed to significantly improve the competitive standing of these businesses in international markets.

A major impact of the program was evident in the participants' future export plans. A remarkable 75% of participants indicated that they anticipate an increase of over 50% in their export turnover within the next three years, demonstrating a significant boost in confidence and strategic planning.

Post-program evaluations revealed that over half of the graduates assessed their export sales skills as above average. This suggests a successful transfer of practical knowledge and skills that are crucial for navigating and succeeding in global trade.

Participants showed a notable increase in their awareness regarding entry into new markets. The program effectively equipped them with a better understanding of market dynamics and potential for expansion.

Key improvements were observed in participants' abilities to plan exports, select appropriate export markets, and effectively collect necessary information. These skills are fundamental for strategic and informed international business development.

The program also fostered better collaboration among participating companies and improved their ability to identify and engage with potential cooperation partners, highlighting the value of networking and strategic alliances.

Furthermore, participants became more proficient in attending trade fairs, effectively showcasing their products, and implementing appropriate pricing strategies, which are vital for successful market penetration.

Since 2021, participating companies successfully entered various new markets. Several businesses initiated sales in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, market entry occurred in Poland, Denmark, Bulgaria, Canada, Ireland, South Korea, Japan, UAE, France, Ukraine, Georgia, Croatia, USA, China, Belgium, Spain, and Austria.

Beyond current achievements, companies are actively working towards entering additional markets, including Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UK, Malta, and Africa, indicating a sustained and ambitious approach to global expansion.

Participant satisfaction with the training content and trainers' competence was exceptionally high, with over 90% of respondents giving maximum scores. They deemed the completed training programs highly important for their enterprises.

The content of information days received an average score of 4.8 out of 5, and the organization of information days scored a perfect 5.0 out of 5, indicating excellent delivery and relevance.

The usefulness of coaching, its organization, and the competence of the coaches were rated at 4.5 out of 5, further underscoring the quality and impact of the individualized support provided.