Due to travel restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic, IQBAR’s nutrition bars were displayed by Food Export’s In-Market Representative at the show which led to meetings with over 50 distributors, importers, retailers, etc. Seoul Food was the first official activity for new-to-market IQBAR in South Korea. Projected sales resulting from IQBAR’s participation in Food Export’s Showcase are expected to total at least $200,000 in the first year and more than double the following year.
Chris Beels, Director of Sales at IQBAR, commented, “We are thankful to have access to Food Export and its team of dedicated international trade experts. The creative use of virtual international trade missions, during a time when international travel is difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enables our company to continue to have the platform to pursue our international export goals.” IQBAR’s Korean Representative, Jun Taek Lim, added, “Despite significantly decreased number of visitors due to COVID, we were able to initiate talking to 50 plus distributors, importers, manufacturers, retailers, journalists, and student groups as well, building momentum, which would not have been possible without your help. Thank you very much.”
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, IQBAR launched their low-carb, plant-based protein bar benefiting both brain and body in 2017. Their keto, paleo, vegan, gluten/GMO-free, low-sugar nutrition bars are offered in seven flavors (chocolate sea salt, peanut butter chip, almond butter chip, matcha chai, banana nut, wild blueberry, and lemon blueberry). Targeting exports to Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Chile, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Sweden markets, IQBAR focuses on retail and e-commerce business as well as brokers/distributors serving retail partners and B2B channels.
Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.
