5 Signs You're Sitting on Export Gold

Are You Sitting on Export Gold? Here are 5 Signs You’re Ready to Go International.

Tariffs are shifting rapidly, and market access is opening up. For U.S. producers, now is one of the best moments in years to expand internationally.

The good news? You may be more ready than you think.

Welcome to The Value Chain Advantage. Each week, I share hard-earned strategies to help ambitious companies unlock clarity, protect margin, and scale without chaos. From sourcing to sales, procurement to planning, this newsletter is for founders, revenue leaders, and operators working to strengthen every link in their value chain.

Tariff Shifts = Export Window

International trade has become radically shaken up by the tariff changes under the current administration. Some of these changes are opening up real doors for U.S. producers. For many, this is the best shot in years to expand internationally.

Wait too long, and that window could close.

Why Are U.S. Producers Leaving Money on the Table?

Newly announced trade deals have made U.S. exports far more cost-effective in countries like Vietnam and Thailand. That said, there will still be plenty of American producers continuing to rely solely on country-wide trade, leaving money and opportunity on the table — not because they can’t export, but because they don’t know how.

These five signs will help you assess your current readiness to expand globally:

1. You Can Fund The Growth 

It sounds obvious, but international growth without enough capital is a fast track to trouble. Many teams overlook or under calculate the true cost — shipping, exchange rates, and costs of labor tend to vary country to country, so make sure you’ve thought about these details when looking at your capital. 

It’s also vital to have a buffer in case something goes wrong. Delays and disruptions are part of the game. Smart exporters plan for the unexpected.

2. There’s Real Demand For Your Product

Exporting only works if demand is strong enough to cover your costs.

Whether you're entering a new market or importing to fuel domestic growth, it’s crucial that the market for your products grows in a steady and similar rate to your expansion. Take the time to do your research.

3. Your Product Has Shelf-Life

If you’re in food or beverage, shelf-life matters. International transit adds time and risk, so here's a good rule of thumb: if your product can survive double the normal domestic transit time without quality loss, it’s likely ready to export.

You also need to take delays into account (like customs delays or port congestion) to ensure that if something goes wrong, your products won’t expire.

4. You Have the Ops to Handle Growth

After determining whether your company has enough money and demand to expand, it’s time to survey your operational muscle:

• Are your warehouses ready to receive and store more products?
• Can your suppliers keep up with higher demands?
• Do you have reliable transportation and trade routes in place that can service your new exports?
  

5. The Trade Deals Are in Your Favor

Tariff shifts have made some countries — like Vietnam — far more attractive for U.S. exports, while others, like Brazil, have become more costly.

Before you expand, be crystal clear on the current trade terms. A favorable regulatory environment can be the difference between profit and pain.

From Insight to Action 

Opportunity is here, but you need to test before you scale. Here's how your company can experiment without putting your bottom line in jeopardy:

Low-risk market tests let you stress-test your readiness without overcommitting. A few ways to start:

• Expand domestically to regions that mimic export conditions (longer transit, new logistics).
• Run small-batch exports to test transportation times, shelf-life performance, and customer response.
• Monitor demand signals in new markets before ramping volume.

Start small, learn fast, and scale only where the data supports it.

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