Iowa Exports

• More than 1500 Iowa companies export their products and services.

• In 2004, the following were the top importing countries of Iowa manufactured goods were: 

  1. Canada

  2. Mexico

  3. Japan

  4. United Kingdom

  5. Australia

• Iowa ranked 2nd in the nation for total agricultural exports in 2004 with over $3.6 billion.

Source: Iowa Department of Economic Development, http://www.iowaexports.com/stats.html

International Marketing Blunders

Not understanding foreign languages and cultural norms can cost you sales and money.  Below are some high-profile examples of international trade and marketing blunders. Avoid adding your company's name to the list -contact Dunlap International.

Britain

• Kellogg's Pop Tarts failed in Britain because a much lower percentage of homes in Britain had toasters as compared to the United States. Plus, the product was too sweet for British tastes.

France

• Hallmark cards bombed in France.  The French dislike syrupy sentiment and prefer writing their own cards.

• General Food's Tang initially failed in France because it was positioned as a substitute for orange juice at breakfast.  The French drink little orange juice and almost none at breakfast.

Japan

• The Ronald McDonald promotion of McDonald's failed in Japan. Ronald's white face was unacceptable as white is the color of death in Japan. There is also no "R" in the Japanese language, so he is known as Donald McDonald.

• General Foods wasted millions of dollars when it introduced packaged cake mixes to Japanese consumers.  At the time, only 3 percent of Japanese homes were equipped with ovens.

Spain

• Coca-Cola had to withdraw the 2 liter bottle in Spain after discovering that few Spaniards owned refrigerators with large enough compartments.

Mexico

• GM's Chevy Nova was a disaster in Mexico.  In Spanish, No Va means "No go".