Why do many businessmen from Eastern and Southern countries fail to succeed when sourcing from Russia and Belarus?
We will explain now.
Market and Seller Characteristics
Bargaining is not customary
In Russia and Belarus, bargaining is not customary. The seller (manufacturer) sets the price for their product, and trying to negotiate is pointless. It’s simply not done. If you don’t like the price — go find another supplier. This is a fact you must accept. We’ll describe one aspect of this feature further below.
Barter trade
Manufacturers only deal with selling their own products and are not interested in non-core goods, as this would require additional administrative, financial, and other resources.
Letters of credit
Currently, almost no one wants to receive payment via letter of credit. This is also a fact. You won’t get payment terms such as FOB or FCA either. They can calculate the cost under these terms for you, but actual payment must be made before shipment. This is because suppliers don’t want to spend their own money on vessel freight, port warehouse rentals, or incur other expenses associated with FOB or FCA terms.
Prepayment
Another feature is that goods are shipped some time after the manufacturer receives payment from the buyer. Almost all manufacturers follow this scheme: sign a contract with the buyer, receive payment, use these funds to purchase raw materials (sunflower seeds, sugar beets, grain, logs, etc.), produce the goods, and ship them. This principle is used by producers of vegetable oils, flour, lumber, and some other goods. Manufacturers accumulate products in their warehouses only for customers who have paid. Almost every factory has a queue of buyers waiting for their batch of goods. This partly explains why manufacturers “don’t negotiate” with buyers.
Working scheme with Russian and Belarusian manufacturers
Now look at these figures!
Russia’s export volume in 2024:
- sunflower oil — approximately 5.5 million tonnes;
- sugar — around 1 million tonnes;
- sawn timber — nearly 20 million cubic metres.
This means that a vast number of entrepreneurs are already successfully cooperating with Russian manufacturers by accepting the specific features of doing business in Russia and Belarus.
Join these successful entrepreneurs!
And we will help you succeed!
How exactly will we be useful to you:
Representation of interests
We will represent your interests in Russia and Belarus;
Supplier search
We will select the most advantageous manufacturer options, taking into account cost and logistics specifics;
Contacts
We will provide you with all contacts;
Negotiations
We will conduct negotiations on your behalf;
Document handling
We will send and receive documents;
Logistics
We will find transport and carriers;
Certification and customs clearance
We will assist with product certification, analysis, and customs clearance;
Packaging
We will order packaging with your logo and branding.
Our areas of operation:
Sunflower oil
Export of high-quality sunflower oil from Russia and Belarus. We ensure strict quality control and compliance with all standards during export.
Sugar
Supplies of high-quality granulated sugar. We work with verified manufacturers and provide competitive prices.
Flour
Export of wheat flour of various grades. We offer quality products from reliable manufacturers.
Lumber
Supplies of lumber (sawn timber of various species and veneer for plywood production). We ensure high quality wood and timely deliveries.
Packaging
Manufacturing and supply of packaging with branding options. We offer solutions with or without your logo.
Why choose us?
Extensive work experience
Our team has many years of experience in representing foreign businesses' interests in Russia and Belarus. We know the local market specifics and how to interact effectively with manufacturers.
Mobility
We respond promptly to client requests and can quickly travel across regions to resolve emerging issues. Our mobility allows us to be flexible and effective in solving your tasks.
Multilingualism
Our specialists are fluent in Azerbaijani, Turkish, English, and Persian. This enables us to communicate effectively with clients and manufacturers, avoiding language barriers.
Focus on protecting the buyer's interests
We always act in our client’s best interest. Our main goal is to ensure successful cooperation between you and Russian/Belarusian manufacturers, safeguarding your interests at every stage.