Latin American (LATAM) markets can hold significant potential for U.S. exporters. Proximity to market, the strong reputation of U.S. made goods and services, and existing Free Trade Agreements with Mexico, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Central America make the region enticing for U.S. exporters.  These markets can also be extremely price-competitive. Was your company unsuccessful in entering the LATAM market in the past due to price sensitivity? Did competitive products from China impact your opportunities in the LATAM market? Now might be the time to take another look at this dynamic market.  

GDEcD has International representatives in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, to help Georgia exporters access viable sales opportunities in these countries. In the current COVID-19 environment, many of these representatives have shared that global supply chain issues affecting companies around the world may have a silver lining for U.S. companies interested in the LATAM market. The astronomical increase in shipping costs and shipping delays for products arriving from Asia to Latin America is making a growing number of Latin American companies open to seeking new suppliers that are located closer to home.  

Even though U.S. products may be more expensive than their Chinese competition, increased shipping costs from Asia are minimizing that disadvantage among LATAM distributors and importers. Just as global supply chain issues are making U.S. companies look closer to home to source product, it may also be causing Latin American companies to do the same – especially if they have been importing those products from China. U.S. products and services continue to enjoy a strong reputation for quality in Latin America, and Georgia companies are well-positioned to explore new sales avenues during this time.     

If you’d like to have any of our representatives in the LATAM market assess current market opportunities for your products, please contact Trade Coordinator Lindsey Dobbs at [email protected] to discuss further.