DOE Peluang Ekspor Bahan Mentah SEL

Summary

The transcript details a speaker's five-year journey in exporting seaweed from Tunisia, highlighting challenges such as regulatory hurdles, logistical issues, and the importance of quality control. The speaker emphasizes the necessity of building strong relationships with partners and adapting to changing market conditions. They share insights on packaging requirements for food-grade products and the impact of weather on logistics. Overall, the discussion encapsulates the complexities of international trade, illustrating both the difficulties faced and the rewards of maintaining quality and compliance in the export business.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has over five years of experience exporting seaweed, initially invited to Tunisia for a job offer in 2019.
• 🌊 The speaker focuses on trading dried seaweed, emphasizing that they do not produce it themselves.
• 📜 A significant challenge faced was obtaining the necessary permits and certifications for export, which required self-education and research.
• 📦 Packaging is crucial for export quality; the speaker uses plastic sacks similar to rice bags for their dried seaweed to prevent contamination.
• 🚢 Logistics issues, particularly during COVID-19, complicated shipping processes and increased costs due to container shortages.
• 🌍 The speaker has concentrated their export efforts in Tunisia, establishing partnerships for international shipments to manage different regulatory requirements.
• ⚖️ Negotiating packaging standards and costs with buyers is essential to ensure both product quality and profitability.
• 🛠️ Quality control is vital; past experiences with wet product shipments led to compensatory measures to maintain customer trust.
• 💼 The speaker highlights the importance of relationship-building in international trade, noting that deals can take a significant amount of time to finalize.
• ⛈️ Environmental factors, like weather conditions affecting shipping routes, are a constant challenge in maintaining timely logistics for perishable goods.

Q & A

What was the initial opportunity that led to the collaboration with Tunisia?

The initial opportunity arose when the speaker was offered a postdoctoral position in Tunisia, which led to discussions about becoming an exclusive supplier of seaweed.

What challenges did the speaker face regarding permits and licenses?

The speaker faced significant challenges in obtaining the necessary permits and licenses, requiring them to learn the process independently and navigate various regulatory requirements.

What specific logistical challenges did the speaker encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the speaker experienced difficulties with container availability and increased shipping costs, affecting their logistics and export processes.

How does the speaker ensure the quality of their seaweed products?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining quality control, even for raw materials, and has implemented compensatory measures when quality issues arise in shipments.

What kind of packaging does the speaker use for their seaweed products?

The speaker uses plastic sacks typically used for rice to package raw seaweed, ensuring they are not contaminated, while also considering the type of packaging needed for food-grade products.

What factors influence the speaker's choice of packaging for exports?

The choice of packaging depends on the product type (food-grade or non-food grade), its fragility, and specific requirements from buyers, which may include additional costs.

What strategies does the speaker employ to maintain their export operations?

To maintain export operations, the speaker focuses on quality control, establishing strong partnerships, and adapting to changing regulations and logistical challenges.

What is the speaker's experience with potential buyers and negotiating deals?

The speaker finds that establishing relationships with potential buyers can be time-consuming, with negotiations sometimes taking up to a year before reaching a deal.

What are some of the main difficulties faced by the speaker in their export business?

Main difficulties include managing regulatory changes, logistical issues due to weather and shipping, and ensuring timely delivery of quality products.

How has the speaker's approach to business evolved over their five years of exporting?

The speaker has learned to navigate various challenges, improve quality control measures, and adapt their strategies to better meet buyer requirements and market demands.