In the organic agricultural trade, buyers in developed markets often do not look for the cheapest supplier. They look for suppliers they can rely on to plan their own businesses. This difference shapes the way Flora Global approaches exports.
What buyers really need
- Stable:The quality and quantity are uniform between batches and crops.
- Transparent:Full certification and traceability records, ready when requested.
- Communicate:Communicate early when there is a problem with the season or delivery schedule, instead of staying silent and then failing to deliver.
- Continuous improvement:Work together to handle bad points in each case.
Why silence is more harmful than bad news
When a crop is unfavorable, buyers can adjust their plans if they know early. What they have a hard time forgiving is accepting a failed shipment without prior warning. Proactively reporting unfavorable news, even if difficult, is a way to protect relationships in the long term.
A multi-year relationship creates value for both sides
As a partnership lasts over many years, both parties understand each other's requirements and capabilities better. Buyers can share new needs and standards early; Suppliers can plan production and investments with greater certainty. Transaction costs are reduced, and both are better able to endure hardships.
Trust comes from within
We believe that it is impossible to keep commitments to international partners without keeping commitments to domestic farmers. A reliable supply chain at the output is built from reliability at each forward link.
