Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office invites Ukrainian food producers to participate in the long-term practical program for entering the Swedish market that is developed together with Open Trade Gate Sweden / National Board of Trade Sweden.

Export to Sweden 2.0 is an updated one-year structured program created to support export-ready Ukrainian food companies in finding an individual path to the market of one of the most developed countries in the world. 

Product categories: Value-added food and beverage products 

Implementation period: December 2024 – December 2025

Format: online / onsite events in Sweden

The program offers: 

• Market access process overview through tailor made trainings “Road to Export”;

• Trade promotion activities: market orientation mission to Sweden to learn more about the potential of the Swedish market for your product from the inside and participation in trade fair in Stockholm to present your product to potential partners;

• Individual mentoring sessions with Swedish food experts to shape your go-to-market action plan.

Stages of the Project:

1. Get to know your market: Online trainings on the Swedish market characteristics, understanding national's trading system, the latest market trends for the product categories and market access channels, labeling, certification, packaging, sustainability requirements, sales process, marketing and promotion campaigns (December 2024 – January 2025)

2. Market Orientation Mission to Sweden: practical onsite training and exercises, store checking and meetings with product managers, price calculations and segmentation exercise, assortment planning, etc (March 2025) - Detailed program is in progress

3. Go-to-market process: Mentoring sessions with Swedish food experts on an individual action plan and homework on preparation for the next stages of entering the Swedish market, namely updating packaging, marketing materials, pricing, etc (April – May 2025)

4. Participation in the international trade fair Gastronord 2025 within the Second Collective stand of Ukraine (September 2025, dates will be determined soon). Gastronord is Northern Europe’s leading gastronomy trade fair for food & beverages manufacturers and buyers from the HoReCa and retail industry, which annually gathers 18,000+ professional visitors from all over the world.

5. Grow the business: Gastronord follow-up, support in processing of received leads to achieve sales (October-November 2025). 

6. Program evaluation and completion (December 2025)

The program can be changed. Additional activities may be added / substituted to meet participants' specific needs. Program also contains monthly check-ins and progress discussions. 

The program uses a co-financing approach in which companies participating in the program will need to cover a part of the logistics costs related to traveling and accommodation in Sweden.

Selection criteria:

1. The company is a registered entity (private entrepreneur or legal entity) in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine;

2. At least 50% of the company's shares belong to citizens of Ukraine;

3. Company's website available in English;

4. Participants must be fluent in English;

5. Availability of necessary documents and valid certificates for export of food products;

6.  The company is focused on entering the Swedish market;

7. The company is ready to delegate 1-2 employees to participate in all stages of the long-term program;

8. Companies with 10-250 employees will be prioritized;

9. Previous experience in export to EU will be an advantage;

10. The company is ready to cover the logistics and accommodation costs of representatives to travel to Sweden for Market Orientation Mission and Gastronord 2025, as well as the delivery of product samples. 

How to apply for participation:

Step 1. Fill in the application form below (in English).

Step 2. Interview the organizers. The purpose of the interview: to determine your needs and readiness to participate in the long-term program.

Step 3. Companies that are selected will be offered to sign a letter of commitment outlining goals and participation expectations.

Registration

Registration is open until November 18, 2024 (tbc). The number of participants is limited.

If you have any questions, please contact Natalia Babanina (Project Manager)  EEPO: nbabanina@epo.org.ua 

Export to Sweden program is organized by Open Trade Gate Sweden* and the State Institution Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office, the state project Diia.Business.

Open Trade Gate Sweden (OTGS) is a part of the National Board of Trade Sweden. OTGS promotes imports from developing countries to Sweden and the EU. OTGS work with business support organizations in the countries to offer training, coaching, study visits and participation at trade fairs and other business events. For more information.