Space Enterprises

Texas Company uses Multiple SUSTA Resources to Penetrate India

In December 2023, Space Enterprises, DBA World of Chia, traveled to India to explore the market in person for the first time. They were participants in SUSTA's trade mission to SIAL India, which was supported by the Market Access Program Generic. The SUSTA event included booth space at the SIAL India show in New Delhi, where SUSTA's consultants also arranged for one-on-one meetings with key buyers. Following the trade show, SUSTA brought them to Mumbai to meet with buyers in the western part of the country. The result? The Woodlands, Texas-based company left the event with a handshake deal to supply a niche market with their chia seed jam. In the months to come, they expect to finalize the details and start shipping product. “When we were negotiating the deal, the Indian buyer asked if we could help promote the products in India and support merchandising. With CostShare in mind, I said – YES! We would not be able to offer that kind of marketing support without CostShare,” said Fernando Ramirez, President, Space Enterprises.

This success did not happen overnight though. Over the last several years, Space Enterprises met Indian buyers with SUSTA at the Fancy Food Show in New York, as well as virtually during the pandemic. They have also had Zoom meetings with i2i, SUSTA's consultants in India, to gain a deeper understanding of India. "SUSTA and i2i helped us understand the market, connect with possible buyers, and helped us develop relationships - which is what finally ended up closing a deal. It would have been a very complicated, expensive and tough thing to do on our own," said Fernando Ramirez, President, Space Enterprises.