Successful Access to Canadian Market

 

Canada with high demand in fine art articles from crystal, ceramics to wood carvings and others has been a good market. In recent years, the demand keeps increasing on handicraft from other countries with traditional styles. In addition, the immigrants have also promoted the demand of such products. The demand is forecasted at US$750 million to US$1 billion with 60% from imported handicraft products. The exporters are from the US. China, EU, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. Vietnamese export of handicraft products to Canada has increased significantly in recent years. In 2008, the export value was US$9.2 million, or 20 % more than 2007. In the first 8 months of 2009, the export value was US$6.1 million and will continue to increase in remaining months.

 

Canadian customers prefer Vietnamese handicraft products from ornaments to indoor decorations, wooden furniture for home and office. They also like handicraft articles in various materials, silk, stone, metal, glass, leather, a lucrative market for Vietnamese products. Gift market in Canada is also a potential market for Vietnamese handicraft. Canadian customers and businesses look for products of high creativity, quality and reasonable price. Vietnamese products can meet those requirements and can be quickly the choice of Canadian customers and businesses.

 

Canadian people are also open to different kinds of life styles. The decoration of dinning rooms can be table cloth, candles, porcelain, wooden and metal frames. Outdoor decorations can be statues and wooden products, diversified and in big number. Styles are also different in regions. While people in the West coast like simple style, those in the Central part prefer more perfect products. Therefore, Vietnamese products meeting the demand with reasonable prices can be more suitable to the market. In fact, Vietnamese products have been available in all segments of Canadian market.

 

As all handicraft exporters in the world wish to have market share in Canada, the competition become extremely fierce. To enter into Canadian market, Vietnamese exporters must introduce new and strong products with better quality and service. It also requires efficient promotion activities together with quality certificates, better packages and labels. Outdoor furniture must be able to resist temperature and humidity. Products for the children must be safe for health. Those qualities are important for Canadian importers and customers.

 

According to Mr. Dang Quoc Hung, Vice-President of Ho Chi Minh City Arts and Wood Processing Association (HAWA), Vietnamese handicraft businesses should cooperate, exchange information and experiences to enter together in the Canadian market. They should increase the competitiveness of their products. To maintain a sustainable development strategy in Canadian market, their products must be well designed and suitable to the modern life and cultural entity, highly commercial and can be produced massively. They must also introduce samples, ensure delivery on schedule, maintain the supply with quality and competitive prices, proper packages of sea transport and especially business reputation for long-term cooperation.