The Organic Trade Association (OTA) brings the U.S. organic industry to developing markets around the world. We create new opportunities for organic products through international promotions, organic exporter education, business to business connections, and trade negotiations.
OTA’s organic export initiatives are funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Market Access Program (MAP). Since 1999, FAS has awarded millions of dollars to OTA to help expand commercial export markets for U.S. organic products. This support has enabled OTA and US producers to showcase their certified organic products around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Korea and Japan. MAP funds also support the development and maintenance of Organic Export Directory, a resource for foreign buyers looking for USDA certified organic products. OTA aims to showcase and educate key target markets on the quality, integrity, and variety of USDA certified organic products available for export around the world.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES // TASK FORCES // EQUIVALENCY // TRADE DATA // ONLINE RESOURCES // ANNUAL REPORTS
Connecting U.S. Producers to Qualified Buyers – Cultivating International Opportunities
OTA’s Organic Export Program seeks to foster, support and promote U.S. organic trade worldwide – and year-round. The program provides opportunities for U.S. producers of all sizes to connect with qualified global buyers – online and in-person – who are seeking to meet their customers’ growing demand for USDA organic products. Activities include:
- Sales-driving pavilions at international trade shows – including BioFach, Anuga and SIAL – promoting U.S. organic products and producers
- Reverse Sales Missions, in which OTA invites qualified global buyers to U.S. trade shows – including Natural Products Expo West and East – to meet with U.S. organic producers
- Our U.S. Export Directory, where U.S. producers can list company details and products online for global buyers – translated to seven languages
- OTA provides high-value, low-risk promotional opportunities for U.S. producers to connect with global buyers online and in-person that translate into immediate sales, as well as export partnerships that can last for years.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
OTA is present each year at the world’s most promising, high-value international trade shows, promoting U.S. organic products and fostering global trade. Our large, attractive exhibit includes select U.S. organic producers’ brands and sales materials. Several U.S. producers have displays at the booth, and leaders and sales executives are on-site to present to global buyers.
In addition, U.S. producers presenting at these key trade shows can request booth placement near OTA from trade show organizers – ensuring maximum trade show traffic from relevant global buyers. OTA also works with U.S. exhibitors’ marketing and booth development teams on strategies and tips for increased trade show exposure.
VIEW FULL SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
TRADE ACCESS + BARRIERS
Active Task Forces
OTA Task Forces are time-bound (not necessarily short-term), task-charged, and outcome-focused groups. Task forces can be convened by the Board, staff, or members in order to recommend a course of action or accomplish a specific objective. OTA task forces are not members only and are open to all who would like to participate.
Equivalency Arrangements
Organic equivalency is a mutual recognition in the form of bilateral arrangements between key trading partners that allows for successful trade by reducing trade barriers and supporting the strengthening of the supply chain.
Organic equivalency recognizes two systems as comparable and verifiable, though not necessarily identical. When it comes to the development of standards, it is recognized that technical requirements will differ by jurisdiction or region. Ultimately what is more important is that they are seen as comparable without compromising the integrity that has come to be expected from the organic designation in both markets. Learn more about trade agreements.
U.S. // Swiss U.S. // Korea U.S. // Japan U.S. // European Union U.S. // Canada
ONLINE TRADE RESOURCES
Global Organic Trade Guide
Export your organic products globally – with Organic Trade Association’s real-time, online tools
OTA’s Global Organic Trade Guide helps U.S. organic producers get up-to-the minute insight and opportunities to connect with global buyers worldwide. Visit GlobalOrganicTrade.com to access:
- Go-to-market reports covering essential trade information on the current organic industry in countries including France, Germany, India, Japan (forthcoming), South Korea (forthcoming), Taiwan and the United Kingdom
- The only global map tool with country-specific details on trade agreement details, import requirements, and certifier and government contact information
Find.Organic
Providing 24/7 Access to Global Buyers
OTA’S Find.Organic Business Directory gives U.S. producers 24/7 exposure to qualified buyers worldwide. At Find.Organic global buyers can:
- Search U.S. producers’ profiles, products and contact information
- Learn more about the integrity and value of USDA Organic products
The Find.Organic Directory gives global buyers an immediate, online connection to U.S. producers, helping build long-term business opportunities.
FIND.ORGANIC BUSINESS DIRECTORY
ANNUAL REPORTS
OTA's U.S. Organic Worldwide Annual Report 2017 OTA's U.S. Organic Worldwide Annual Report 2016 OTA's U.S. Organic Worldwide Annual Report 2015
Contact
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) staffs 96 offices in 75 countries around the world. FAS Foreign Service Officers (FSO) and Locally-Employed Staff (LES) also monitor and report on the agricultural trade matters of an additional 94 countries. The USDA FAS web site offers a fully searchable overseas office directory online.
Interested in participating? Contact OTA to learn how
The Organic Trade Association does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin or ancestry, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation or military status. Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information can contact us at info@ota.com.