In 2019, BCI worked to ensure that EU pesticide policies did not result in millions of dollars of previously imported product being deemed illegal. The commodity had been treated with the crop protection product in the US when the US and EU standards were harmonized. It was subsequently imported into to the EU without incident. The EU then moved to lower the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) for the compound after the product had legally entered the market. The commodity can be held in the channels of trade for several years awaiting processing, so thousands of tons of product in storage could possibly have rejected at enormous cost. BCI worked with the industry and the US Mission to the EU to determine that when the new standard was announced, it allowed for product previously imported and subject to the earlier standard would be allowable until stocks were used. A multi-million dollar issue was avoided. The issue also highlighted the challenge for channels of trade and EU MRL policies.
A US shipper to Japan mistakenly forgot to include a tag on the outside of each shipping container, as was required by the US-Japan export protocol. The product was otherwise compliant with Japanese standards and all paperwork was complete and accurate; however, because of the missing tags, Japanese authorities were considering whether to reject all sixty of the containers missing tags. Working with the USDA office in the US Embassy in Tokyo, BCI provided background and encouraged a meeting with Japanese official to discuss the issue and explain the situation. Ultimately, Japan agreed to allow the product to enter, and the shipper implemented a new system to ensure tags would not be missed in the future. Rejecting the sixty containers would have been devastating to the supplier. A crisis was avoided.
The National Confectioners Association hired BCI to conduct market research on the market for candy in China and Hong Kong. BCI's expertise in international market development was clear in the end-product they delivered, as the quality of information that was provided was relevant for export expansion and well-tailored to our industry's needs.
Karen Horan, Director of International Trade Services, National Confectioners Association
BCI has completed two market feasibility reports for Pacific Coast Producers covering various processed tomato products we sought to launch in new markets. Findings from these reports were instrumental in our company's decisions when moving forward with these successful product launches.
Andrew K. Russick, Vice President, Retail Sales & Marketing, Pacific Coast Producers
Bryant Christie Inc. has been instrumental in the success of the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program. BCI helped secure grant funding that enabled us to initiate the program and their export marketing guidance has helped increase exposure for the BA and for individual craft breweries.
Bob Pease, Chief Operating Officer, Brewers Association
BCI has been a valued partner to the Washington State wine industry for over a decade, providing a range of valuable services including securing grant funding, program compliance and well-coordinated, impactful activity planning.
Chris Stone, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Washington State Wine Commission
"I have had the pleasure of working with BCI for many years on international market development for California pears. Our industry has benefitted from their experience in export markets and from their network of contacts.”
Chris Zanobini, Executive Director, California Pear Advisory Board
“BCI’s IRReS program provides our international offices a forum through which they can provide detailed and uniform market reports to our industry. It has proven to be a solution to our reporting needs and staff appreciates its simplicity and ease of use.”
Greg Tyler, Vice President of Marketing, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
“Bryant Christie Inc. customized an online Trade Regulation Database for the United States Poultry & Egg Export Council that enables us to provide our members with timely information on trade requirements in key markets around the world. To maintain it, BCI monitors trade issues in over 30 countries and notifies USAPEEC of important developments. BCI has been an invaluable partner to the U.S. poultry and egg industries for many years.”
Greg Tyler, Vice President of Marketing, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
"BCI has done a tremendous job on behalf of the California cherry industry. Markets that BCI has opened are now among the largest export markets for our industry. If we encounter trade barriers or trade disruptions, this is the firm we call."
Randy Rajkovich, Blossom Farms
"For over a decade, the US potato industry has turned to Bryant Christie Inc. to assist with our international market access issues. US potato farmers can now sell their potatoes in numerous new markets as a result of the work BCI has undertaken with the US potato industry."
John Toaspern, VP International Marketing, United States Potato Board
"Valent has been extremely pleased with the service and professionalism received from BCI in connection with our ongoing need for agricultural production and trade data to support MRL and business strategy."
Dan Fay, Technology Operations Manager, Valent USA Corp.
"Whether it is addressing a trade problem, obtaining a tariff concession in a US trade negotiation, or providing Yum! with the latest international regulatory changes, BCI is a resource that Yum! has come to rely on."
Ann Grappin, Global Trade Manager, Yum! Brands Inc.
"MRL harmonization is the single largest issue facing the US hop industry, as this determines whether growers are able to utilize many important plant protection tools in IPM and sustainable production systems, and still ship the crop. With nearly 80% of our annual production destined for over 60 countries across the globe, differing standards can rapidly impact our ability to reach customers and adversely impact sales."
Ann George, Administrator, Washington Hop Commission