1. Market profile methodology

2. MP Objectives Market profile: the specific purpose of the course is to build the capacity of trainees to prepare: Custom-designed short reports, produced in a few days, on target markets to respond to the requests of client companies; In-depth market briefs for a larger audience to address general inquiries and provide useful background for interested exporters; Participants will be able to draft reports to illustrate the feasibility of penetrating a targeted market and be able to present results of a market profile to a business oriented audience.

4. Identifying (and describing) a product A sample of questions: “What is the main application and function of the product?” “What factors (tangible and augmented) constitute the product?” “How flexible are these factors? Can they be altered to fit a market?” "Can the product fit in a certain lifestyle? Differences by market?” “How could the product be adapted/standardised to differentiate it to competition?”

5. Define your product Critical to be as specific as possible when defining the product range that will be covered in the profile.

6. Product description Level of detail is important. The more focused, the more useful it is for your clients, but the less flexible it is for you Seafood vs. shrimp vs. frozen shrimp vs. prepared foods containing shrimp In the description: what the product is used for? it might change the market entirely Cashew can be a nut (kernel), a fruit (cashew apple), can produce industrial lubricant Industrial vs. Household uses for glass

7. Features of our product? Warranty Additional Services Shipping and Handling Efficiency Versatility BASIC PRODUCT Packaging Quality Post-sale service Brand Name Style “Ethical Consumption” TANGIBLE PRODUCT AUGMENTED PRODUCT

8. Features of a product The base product – the core most elementary and generic definition of the content and use of the product a shirt : a piece of clothing to cover the upper-body and protect against the elements chocolate: the cocoa butter mixed with a few basic ingredients The tangible factors – the physical features physical attributes that the consumer can see, touch, want and need: design, form, style, brand name, versatility, efficiency a shirt: a choice of colours, style, quality of the stitching, brand descriptors, versatility (easy-ironing, formal/informal), etc. Chocolate: choice and content of ingredients, shapes and sizes, wrapping, etc.

9. Features of a product The Augmented characteristics – the "ethereal" features Certification/quality control (in foreign markets) a guarantee can help a new company to reassure local consumers about quality Characteristic of the production process that carry special value: Organic ingredients, environment-friendly, child labour-free, etc. Transport and insurance services such as transport, customs clearance, insurance,... can be supported by the purchaser, by the exporter or be divided between these two parties Packaging Maintenance/guarantee

10. An example of product description… The cashew, Anacardium occidentale L., belongs to Anacardiacea or cashew family. Other important plants of this family are the mango (Mangifera indica) and the pistachio nut (Pistacia vera). The cashew tree is versatile. The cashew tree produces fruit and a by-product: the nutshell oil. The fruit consists of two parts: a pear-shaped stalk called the cashew “apple” and a greyish brown kidney-shaped nut (HS 08.01.31), which is attached to the lower end of the apple and contains a slightly curved white kernel (HS 08.01.32), wrapped in a thin brown skin or testa. The nutshell, which is smooth and oily, contains a toxic, resinous material from which is obtained the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). The apples go rotten within 24 hours of harvesting unless refrigerated while the nuts may be kept for about a year provided they are properly dried immediately after harvesting (maximum moisture 9%) to prevent mould and properly stored. Usually the nuts are sun dried and constantly turned over for several days until the kernels rattle in the shell…….. Source: ITC Market Profile on Cashew Nuts

11. Identifying a target market A sample of questions: What is the consumption and production of this product around the world? What are the fastest growing markets for my product? Which countries are supplying those markets? What is the position of our producers in those markets? What are the access conditions for those markets? . . . Where should I focus further research?

12. Identifying routes to a market A sample of questions: How is this product distributed in the target markets? What are the options for promoting this product? What trade fairs should I attend? Who else has been attending? What buyers should I focus on? . . . How can I make a sale?

13. Provides exporting enterprises with a concise overview of conditions for market entry and trends in a given import market Organizes the information about the product and market in a user-friendly and comprehensive framework A Market Profile provides an understanding on where the opportunities lie and how to access these opportunities When in doubt… remember the purpose

14. Model layout of a MP