How to prepare a plant-based product for export

In this post, we explain how to prepare a plant-based product for export, a process that goes far beyond simply manufacturing a product and shipping it abroad. Exporting involves strategic decisions, technical product adaptation, and ensuring it performs under real market, logistics, and production conditions.

Define your plant-based export strategy

Before exporting, it is essential to define a clear and realistic strategy. Not all markets offer the same opportunities or require the same resources.

You should evaluate:

• priority countries
• commercial opportunities
• sales channels
• positioning and pricing

The objective is to determine whether your company is ready to compete internationally, and under what conditions.

Analyse your target market and sales channel

Demand for plant-based products varies by market. Countries such as the Netherlands or Germany show higher maturity, while others are still developing.

It is key to analyse:

• consumer profile
• competition
• price range
• trends (clean label, high protein, sustainability)

You should also define the most suitable channel: retail (supermarkets), distributors, foodservice or specialised stores. Not all products fit equally well in each.

Distinguish between EU and non-EU sales

Exporting within the EU allows for a more streamlined operation thanks to the single market.

However, when exporting to markets such as the United States or Asia, you must consider:

• customs controls
• tariffs
• sanitary requirements
• additional documentation

This adds complexity and requires careful planning.

Choose your importer and business model

The local partner is key to success. You should assess their experience in plant-based products, logistics capacity, commercial network and payment conditions.

Adapt your product to each market

A product developed for one country does not always perform well in another. Technical and commercial adaptation is essential.

Review your ingredients and novel foods

It is essential to verify that all ingredients are authorised in the destination market.

In the European Union, an ingredient may be classified as a novel food if it was not consumed significantly before 1997, which means it requires prior authorisation before being marketed.

👉 More information: EU Novel Food Regulation

This is particularly relevant in plant-based innovation, where new proteins and functional ingredients are frequently used.

Validate shelf life and safety

Exporting increases the time between production and consumption, so shelf life must be validated under real conditions.

This includes stability studies, microbiological testing, and preservation trials.

You should take into account the full journey: production → storage → transport → distribution → point of sale

Adjust your formulation to the consumer

Each market has different preferences.

Depending on the product, it is advisable to adapt flavour, texture, format, or even nutritional profile in line with local consumption trends.

For example:

• Europe → greater sensitivity to clean label
• United States → focus on protein content
• Asia → different sensory expectations

Ensure regulatory compliance, labelling and documentation

This is one of the most critical areas to avoid rejections or delays.

Prepare your labelling for the European Union

Food labelling in the EU is regulated by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, which requires clear information on ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and storage conditions to ensure informed consumer decisions.

Mandatory elements include:

• product name
• ingredient list
• highlighted allergens
• nutritional information

👉 You can check the full requirements here: EU food labelling rules

Organise your certificates and traceability

A robust export process requires complete, well-structured technical documentation, including technical datasheets, analytical certificates, allergen declarations and up-to-date production records.

Beyond compliance, well-managed traceability facilitates audits, speeds up customer approval processes, and enables efficient handling of potential issues.

Adapt compliance for the United States

Entering the US market involves meeting FDA requirements.

According to the agency, exporters are responsible for complying with both US regulations and those of the origin country, ensuring product safety and proper documentation.

This includes:

• facility registration
• adapted labelling
• food safety compliance

Ensure your logistics and international scaling

Exporting is not just about selling — it is about ensuring the product arrives in optimal condition.

Define your Incoterms and transport

Incoterms®, defined by the International Chamber of Commerce, are global rules that establish how costs, risks and responsibilities are shared in international trade.

Using them correctly avoids disputes and ensures clarity in operations.

👉 More information: Incoterms rules – ICC

Carry out your first pilot shipment

Before scaling up, it is recommended to carry out a pilot shipment.

This allows you to validate timings, product condition, documentation and potential issues.

It is a critical step before increasing volumes.

Scale your plant-based export with a specialised manufacturer like Sanygran

Preparing a plant-based product for export requires combining strategy, formulation, regulatory compliance and industrial capability.

Working with a specialised manufacturer such as Sanygran allows you to:

• develop products adapted to different markets
• reformulate according to international regulations
• produce in various formats (chilled, frozen or ambient)
• scale production with flexibility

With experience in European markets such as Italy and the Netherlands, Sanygran acts as a strategic partner or private label manufacturer, helping turn ideas into real, stable and export-ready products.

Because in export, success does not depend only on the product itself, but on whether it performs in the market, in logistics and in industrial production.

Contact:

📞 +34 937 132 324
✉️ info@sanygran.com