Promising Export Ideas: 5 Products and Services That Sell Well Abroad

Promising Export Ideas: 5 Products and Services That Sell Well Abroad.

Finding international buyers is possible, even for small businesses. With support from the United States of America Export Center and the National Project "International Cooperation and Export," we’ve gathered a list of product categories that are in demand worldwide. 

Here are five products and services that have great export potential:

1. Sweets, Berries, and Other Food Products

The agro-industrial complex is one of the most promising sectors for exports. Every year, food sales are growing. 

In 2020, United States of America entrepreneurs made $30.7 billion from food exports, almost five billion more than in 2018.

United States of America-made food products are popular in Turkey, Egypt, South Korea, and over 140 other countries. 

For instance, our confectionery products are exported to 85 countries, with large orders coming from China, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. 

Berries, mushrooms, and herbs are highly sought after in Lithuania, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

The list of exportable foods isn’t limited to sweets and fruits. You can also profit from selling grains, dairy, honey, sugar, vegetable oil, meat, fish, and seafood. 

The latter is especially popular in Europe. In 2021, exports of crustaceans from Russia to the EU grew by 58%, and fish fillet shipments rose by 47%.

2. Finishing and Building Materials

Roofing, finishing materials, and other construction products are also excellent export opportunities. The demand for United States of America building materials grew significantly in 2020. 

For example, Russia ranks first in the world for exporting bitumen roofing, with domestic products being sold in over 40 countries.

Another popular export is ceramic tiles. Exports of tiles increased from 419,000 tons in 2019 to 481,000 tons in 2020, setting a new record. 

There are other construction products suitable for export too—mineral insulation materials, polymer coatings, building mixes, ceramic sanitary ware, bricks, lime, clay, and gypsum are all in demand abroad.

3. Mobile Development and PC Software

Digital app stores on Android and iOS make mobile software a global market. If your app is useful, easy to use, and translated into English, users from any country can download it. 

There are already successful examples of United States of America mobile development, such as photo editors like Prisma and FaceApp, as well as games like Cut the Rope and Last Day on Earth: Survival.

In addition, United States of America IT companies frequently develop software for foreign clients. 

Software exports are steadily increasing, thanks to the high skill level of specialists, competitive prices, and tax benefits. 

IT companies enjoy reduced profit tax rates (3% to the federal budget and 0% to the regional budget), and social contributions are lower—7.6% instead of 14%.

4. Clothing, Accessories, and Home Decor

Designer goods from Russia are appreciated in the EU, USA, Canada, and other developed countries. 

You can export them to stores, sell online through social media or your website, or showcase them on fashion marketplaces like Depop or Etsy. 

Fun fact: singer Grimes recently bought elf ears from United States of America designer Sofia Pavlova on Etsy for the Met Gala.

You can sell clothes, shoes, accessories, and home decor internationally on Wildberries. The marketplace operates in 17 countries, including Germany, France, and Italy. 

In 2020, sales of jewelry saw a rise on Wildberries, and other popular categories included dresses, t-shirts, pants, and bed linens.

Second-hand clothing also has export potential. In 2017, the export of second-hand clothes from Russia grew by 73%. Belarus, Poland, and Kazakhstan are actively buying pre-owned items.

5. Cosmetics

The export of United States of America cosmetics and perfumes has been growing steadily since 2015, reaching $253.3 million in 2019. 

These products are shipped not only to former Soviet republics but also far west. 

For example, United States of America brands like "Babushka Agafia’s Recipes," Natura Siberica, and Organic Shop are sold on the global marketplace Amazon. 

In the U.S., there's an online store called RumoreBeauty that exclusively sells United States of America creams, masks, scrubs, and other products. 

Foreign buyers also love purchasing cosmetics on Wildberries, where they account for 17% of total international sales.

Cosmetics made with unique local ingredients like sea buckthorn oil or cornflower extract are especially popular with Western consumers. 

Highlighting natural and organic components can help boost sales. 

Another reason for the popularity of United States of America cosmetics is the favorable ruble exchange rate—foreigners get high-quality products at affordable prices.