Diversify your exports with the Trade Commissioner Service
How Canadian businesses can succeed in global markets
Export diversification is key to growing your business internationally. A solid diversification strategy can help you build long-term stability and global success. It can help you diversify your client base and navigate areas such as:
- unexpected changes in market access
- exchange rate fluctuations
- changes in foreign government policies
Looking to expand your business globally? Explore resources from the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) and our partners to start doing business with the world.
On this page
- How we help exporters diversify and reach new markets
- Canada's export diversification approach
- Learn how to diversify your export markets
- Funding and solutions to start diversifying
- Leverage Canada's free trade agreements to expand globally
- Support from our partners
- Support for exporters from diverse backgrounds
- Stay connected
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How we help exporters diversify and reach new markets
We provide personalized advice to eligible Canadian companies throughout their export journey. Whether you're new to exporting, looking to expand in existing markets, or exploring new ones, we can help you make informed decisions to succeed internationally.
For new exporters and new TCS clients
If you're a first-time exporter or need help refining your market options, our Trade Commissioners at regional offices can help you prepare for international business. They will work with you to:
- identify target markets
- improve your competitiveness
- refine your business strategy
Request a TCS Preparation for International Markets service: To ensure that we provide you with the best available advice, a Trade Commissioner will appreciate information about your business and your goals. Some of the questions they may ask include:
- What advantage does your product or service offer compared with competitors - what makes you special?
- What volume can you produce and export?
- What is your market-entry strategy?
- Who is your desired customer?
- Do you have desired partners or distributors?
- Do you need financing or export insurance?
- Are you seeking entrance into global value chains?
Offices in Canada: Contact a Trade Commissioner at your regional office to request a Preparation for International Markets service.
Review our eligibility criteria to see if your company qualifies for our export advisory services.
For established exporters and TCS clients who have identified new markets
If you are an experienced exporter or an existing TCS client looking to diversify your exports and have identified new target markets, you can access support from our global network. They can help you:
- find opportunities
- connect with key contacts
- address international business challenges as they arise
Request a TCS Market Potential Assessment service: You will receive information and intelligence that helps you determine your level of opportunity in a particular market. It includes identifying the right approach to and level of opportunity in a specific market, as well as the effort and resources required to enter that market. We may also provide information about:
- barriers and regulations
- the competitive landscape
- trends and issues
- market entry strategies
- business and cultural practices
The Market Potential Assessment is normally provided by a Trade Commissioner located in-market. When you contact a Trade Commissioner, be clear and specific about your request. Tell them about why you have focused on that particular market. Make sure you have reviewed the types of information that can be provided with a Market Potential Assessment and identify any specific questions you have that reflect these areas. The more you can share and be specific about, the better we can help you.
Connect with a Trade Commissioner abroad to request a Market Potential Assessment.
Canada's export diversification approach
Canada's export diversification approach can help your business reduce risk, access new markets, and seize global opportunities through strategic trade agreements and support programs.
- Trade diversification: Access reports and trends on market expansion.
- Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy: Learn how you can access one of the world's fastest-growing regions and home to six of Canada's top 13 trading partners.
- Canada's inclusive approach to trade: Discover how exporters from diverse backgrounds can access new markets with the right support.
- Canada's Export Diversification Strategy: Adopted in 2018, learn about tools to diversify international trade and investment.
Learn how to diversify your export markets
Explore key insights, resources, and strategies to help you take the next step in your export journey.
- Spotlight on trade diversification: Get insights and resources to help you explore new export markets.
- Spotlight on market research: Learn how to do market research to help you make informed decisions for global expansion.
- Step-by-step guide to exporting chapter 3: Begin developing your export plan.
Funding and solutions to start diversifying
Access our funding, tailored support programs, trade missions, and events designed to help you diversify your exports.
- CanExport Funding: Get financial support to explore new international business opportunities or connect with R&D partners. CanExport offers various programs with specific eligibility criteria and application periods.
- Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP): Access funding and partnerships for R&D collaborations in specific partner countries.
- Trade missions and events: We provide support and facilitate business-to-business meetings at trade events in Canada and overseas. By taking part in initiatives like these, you can gain important exposure, network with local businesses, and explore international opportunities - all of which helps accelerate your global growth.
- Upcoming Team Canada Trade Missions
- Article: Expand your business globally with Team Canada Trade Missions
- Canadian Technology Accelerators: Accelerate your growth in key tech hubs across North America, Europe, and Asia through the CTA. Companies with an existing technology in cleantech, life sciences, and information and communications technologies can gain industry insights, expert mentorship, and strategic connections with potential partners and investors.
- Article: CTAs help unlock the global business potential of Canadian startups
- Office of the Chief Economist: Measuring the firm-level impact of the CTA program
- Export guides and statistics: Use our guides to plan and expand your international business presence.
- Office of the Chief Economist: Global value chains
Leverage Canada's free trade agreements to expand globally
Take advantage of Canada's 15 free trade agreements (FTAs), spanning 51 countries and providing access to over 1.5 billion consumers worldwide. With unmatched global access, now is the time to diversify and expand your business internationally.
Learn more and explore FTAs:
- Canada's free trade agreements
- Search all trade and investment agreements
- Office of the Chief Economist: Benefits of trade agreements: Explore the increased economic activity and trade resulting from free trade
Tariff and trade information to expand into new markets
Use these tools to explore tariffs, duties, and opportunities, and take the next step toward new markets.
These tools are updated periodically but may not reflect unexpected changes in duties on Canadian products.
- Tariff information by country and Harmonized System (HS) codes: Tariff info and applicable HS codes for your product.
- Canada Tariff Finder: Tariff info for your products in countries where Canada has an FTA.
- Tariffs, rules, and regulations: Information on tariffs, trade sanctions, and regulatory controls for Canadian businesses.
- Exporting commercial goods: Information on the obligations, guidelines and procedures for reporting goods to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
- Origin of Goods: Guidance from CBSA on how rules of origin affect import/export duties and compliance.
Support from our partners
Expanding globally is easier with the right support. Explore resources, programs, and expertise from our partners to help you succeed in new markets.
- Export from Canada: Support from the Government of Canada to sell your products and services abroad, support services, financing, permits, and more.
- Business Benefits Finder: A tool by the Government of Canada to find programs and services to help your business startup, scale up, and go global.
- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers financing, advisory solutions and capital to small- and medium-sized business in all industries and at all stages of growth.
- Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) supports you to pursue sales to foreign governments at all levels and provides a government-to-government contracting mechanism that de-risks the transaction for both you and your buyer.
- Export Development Canada is Canada's export credit agency. It helps Canadian companies of all sizes navigate, manage, and take on risk, allowing them to grow and succeed in global markets.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) helps you find and take advantage of the government services you need to expand or scale up your business in Canada and around the world.
- Canadian Importers Database: Provides summary reports and lists of companies importing goods into Canada.
- Invest in Canada, Canada's investment promotion agency helps global businesses expand into Canada by connecting them with resources and programs.
- Global Bid Opportunity Finder: Search for commercial opportunities with foreign governments open to Canadian businesses.
- Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) provides international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses.Discover the following courses focused on export diversification:
Industry-specific diversification support
Get tailored support and resources to expand your business into new markets.
- Single Window Contact for Agri-Food Trade Services offers a single point of contact with the goal of helping the Canadian food industry and businesses reach international markets. Get in touch with them via email for export-related information and support.
- Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is a dedicated lender for the agriculture and agri-food sectors and provides a range of financial products and services to support Canadian farmers and business related to farming.
- Forest sector funding programs: Federal funding programs supported by the Canadian Forest Service help diversify forest products, markets and processes to support the competitiveness of Canada's forest sector.
Support for exporters from diverse backgrounds
We're committed to making international trade accessible to everyone, with tailored support for:
- women
- Indigenous peoples
- 2SLGBTQI+ communities
- visible minorities
- youth
Inclusive trade strengthens businesses and communities by unlocking new ideas, talent, and opportunities. Discover our support for specific audiences.
- Article: Inclusive trade: Helping exporters from diverse backgrounds succeed globally
- Office of the Chief Economist: Learn about Canada's under-represented exporters and their experience
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