Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Monthly Monitor from the Office of Export Promotion – Issue #12, Summer 2026
New To You
New Jersey Receives Almost $900K in STEP Funding
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has finally released the funds set aside in the approved 2025 budget! The State of New Jersey has received $847,000.00 to assist small businesses new to exporting and those looking to expand market reach. The applications are now open in the SAGE portal. For more details, please contact your International Business Advocate or complete a client intake form which can be found in the “How Can I Apply” section of the NJSTEP web page.
Good To Know
How featuring employees on social media can strengthen brand credibility
Employee-generated social media content can help companies expand reach, increase engagement and build trust with audiences in a more authentic way. By encouraging workers to share experiences and perspectives, businesses can strengthen brand credibility without relying on messaging that feels overly scripted or forced. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
A Strategic Gude to Marketing Your Small Business (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
https://www.uschamber.com/co/grow/marketing/small-business-marketing-tools
SBA Small Business Manual
Download Here
How to conduct a business survey that helps your company grow
Well-designed surveys can provide valuable feedback on customer needs, employee experiences and business performance. Follow this guide to ensure success and drive growth. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
Mentor Matchmaking Services
https://www.nj.gov/state/bac/referral-services/overview/
Prospects for U.S. Exports to Ghana
The United States experienced a 19-percent increase in food and agricultural exports to Ghana in 2025, totaling $169 million. Strong opportunities exist for U.S. poultry, processed foods, beef, wine and spirits, and consumer-oriented products. Poultry remains the largest category, with U.S. exports reaching a record $117.4 million. Despite limited market share in beef and other meats, growing interest from hotels, restaurants, and retailers signals strong potential, Interest in U.S. wine and spirits exports is also growing, though competition from the European Union (EU) and South Africa remains strong. Read more from the USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service here.
Which Video Format Performs Best?
With online video reaching almost all internet users (92%), learn which video formats perform best and get fresh ideas for creating content your audience wants to watch.
Social Media’s Growing Impact on Small Businesses
Data from the American Express Small Business Survey highlights how social media helps small businesses grow revenue, reach new customers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—and stay deeply connected to their communities.
|
98%
Of small business owners now market their business through social channels, and 99% of those who do say it has positively impacted their revenue over the past year |
81%
Of Millennials and Gen Z discovered a new small, independently owned business through social media in the past year |
76%
Of consumers agree that small businesses are essential to their community |
Source: American Express Shop Small Impact Study Results
Upcoming Events
Aug. 26 – Could Your Next Shipment to Mexico Be Delayed?
Virtual Event ($25 to attend)
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Host – U.S. Commercial Service
Register Here
Sept. 10 – Protecting Your Brand: Reputation & Risk Management in a Digital Age
Virtual Event (Free to register)
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Host - N.J. Chamber of Commerce
More information coming
New Opportunities
Japan Analytical & Scientific Instruments Show (JASIS) – September 2 – 4, 2026
Commercial Service Japan is offering U.S. companies a unique, low-cost opportunity to showcase their products and capabilities at the U.S. Embassy’s booth on the exhibition floor – no travel required! This is an excellent way to gain visibility among Japanese buyers and generate new trade leads in the world’s third largest economy. Participating companies will receive a Catalogue display, online visibility from July 1 – November 30 and Lead Sharing. To participate and get more information contact Hiroyuki Hanawa at Hiroyuki.hanawa@trade.gov or Yu Ohashi at Yu.Ohashi@trade.gov.
Booth Space at Gulfood 2027 – Now Available with Food Export – March 15 – 19, 2027
Food Export recently launched our discounted booth space at Gulfood.
Gulfood is the largest food and beverage (F&B) show in the Middle East. With over 5,000 exhibiting companies and visitors from 200 countries, Gulfood boasts a vast array of products that cater to various sectors of the F&B industry. As one of the world’s premier sourcing events, Gulfood propels valuable international trade partnerships, introduces the latest food innovations and informs key policies that guide global food commerce.
Please note the following important items:
Suppliers will have pre-arranged meetings with India and Africa buyers at the show.
There will be two venues used for the 2026 show. The sectors will be divided into the following:
- Dubai Expo City: World Food and Pulse & Grain Sectors.
- Dubai World Trade Center: Meat & Poultry, Seafood, Dairy, Beverage, Power Brands, Fats & Oils, Gulf Host.
9sqm Booth at “World Food” Hall – $15,500
15sqm Corner Booth at “World Food” Hall – $25,750
12sqm Corner Booth at “World Food” Hall – $21,00
6sqm (half) booth at “World Food” Hall – $9,750 – Only for first-time Gulfood exhibitors with prior trade show experience.
Shared Space/ Showcase Pavilion at “World Food” Hall $4,999 – NEW EXHIBITORS ONLY
The Gulfood organizers are being very strict this year and are requiring companies to exhibit in the correct category section. The Food Export space cannot host: Meat & Poultry, Seafood, Dairy, Beverage, Power Brands, Fats & Oils, Pulses or Grains.
For more information contact Julie Pierre, Liaison NJ, NYC, DE, 215-599-9742, jpierre@foodexport.org
Proven Way to Promote Your Product Around the Globe!
Sourcehere.com, the global B2B platform launched by Kallman Worldwide, that helps international buyers, procurement teams, distributors, agents and business partners discover companies, products and capabilities across key global industries.
Today, more than 4,500 companies showcase their products and capabilities on Sourcehere, with the platform used by buyers and procurement professionals to identify potential suppliers and business partners around the world.
Sourcehere is a year-round global B2B platform, with AI-powered search helping buyers find the most relevant companies, products, technologies and capabilities. Company profiles can include detailed descriptions, products, images, videos, brochures, and direct contact information.
For SMEs, this creates an additional way to build international visibility and get in front of buyers and procurement teams in markets they may otherwise struggle to reach.
New Jersey companies can be included on Sourcehere and build global connections 365 days a year, whether or not they participate in international trade shows.
For more information, contact your International Business Advocate!
What is "Success" to You?
Is it seeing your firm's consumer packaged goods on the shelves of a British store? Perhaps, it is entering the United Arab Emirates with a breakthrough cosmetic? Or, it might be selling your firm's AI-powered consulting services in Japan.
Whichever country, or language, spells "Success" to you, the Office of Export Promotion is your go-to resource. Send an email to Marielle Wolf at marielle.wolf@sos.nj.gov.
Let’s talk about what your “Success” will be!
Have an Export-Related Need? NJ BAC Office of Export Promotion Can Help.
The Office of Export Promotion works with New Jersey’s small and mid-sized companies interested in expanding sales and their customer base for their products and services through export. Companies interested in global business activity can tap into a number of resources on business export planning available through the NJBAC Export Promotion unit.
Have a Business Need? NJ BAC Can Help.
The NJBAC offers no-cost technical assistance, training, and problem-solving. From site selection and incentive identification to one-off questions, the NJBAC is here to support all NJ businesses. In addition to the Office of Export Promotion, NJBAC is home to the Office of Small Business Advocacy, Office of Business Advocacy, and the Office of Planning Advocacy. The NJBAC offers free online chat and telephone (800-537-7397) assistance in English and Spanish to any New Jersey business. The NJBAC Small Business Manual, a one-stop tool for many business concerns, is available online. A Spanish version of the manual is also available for download. A print copy in both versions is available on request.
Please feel free to share the information in this email with other NJ companies interested in exporting.
Please note we will be sending out these OEP Updates emails typically once a month. If there is a topic you would like us to address, please tell us. If you would rather not receive these emails, let us know and we will remove you from our list.
Best Regards,
The Office of Export Promotion Team
Penni Wild, Deputy Executive Director
Jean Chang, International Business Advocate
Marielle Wolf, NJSTEP Project Director
Sophie Werner, International Business Advocate