Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it to the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right.
Rob McGavin and Paul Riordan on Boundary Bend Limited
Exporting since: 2004
Key markets: Europe, US.
When Boundary Bend Limited founders Rob McGavin and Paul Riordan started investigating export opportunities in 2001/02 their first ports of call were Italy and Spain, homes of the global olive industry. After a frosty reception, the pair held tastings for the top oil buyers, receiving top praise for their oils.
These days, Boundary Bend export to Belgium, Canada, China, Fiji, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, the Maldives, the UK, and the US. In the last financial year, Boundary Bend exported roughly half of its crop, equating to more than 1.2 million litres of premium extra virgin olive oil, and delivering growth of 1,400 percent on the previous year.
A key to success has been strategically targeting selected markets where consumers have a higher income and a desire for premium food products.
