NovelBaltic

The overall objective of the project:

NovelBaltic focusses on market-driven authentic Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) from the Baltic region – mani focus on wild and semi-cultivated species with business potential. To evaluate the export potential to Asian markets.

The specific objectives of the project:

The objective is to enhance the market uptake of NTFP innovations based on improved R&D infra related to authenticity and quality and enhanced utilization of the R&D capacity. The goal is to review the market demand for NTFP in selected regions in China and Asia and to evaluate the feasibility of selected business opportunities through techno-economic calculations.

The main planned activities:

Academia and business cooperate to provide new methods to SMEs which proof the geographical origin of their products faster and cheaper and to evaluate business opportunities in Asian regions. The market evaluation will be done during study and contact trips, but also by participating at fairs.

Results of the project:

Full results of the project can be found from projects’ Lead Partner website.

Tartu Science Park was working during the project with market exploration angle on how to enter Chinese market coming from Nordic region. During the project several reports on market trends and guiding materials for companies interested in Chinese market were created. Below you are able to find and download material which hopefully provide value in understanding Chinese market and enable to make first steps in entering there with your products/services!

Market Research Report on Chinese market overall trends with a focus on Health, Wellness and Food segments. Compiled in June 2020.

Guidelines for Market Entry Strategy. Guidelines  serve as a guide for SMEs who are taking their first steps in entering the Chinese market. While NovelBaltic project focused on NTFPs, the tips here can be used across other economic sectors as well.

Handbook for Entering Chinese Market. The main objective of the handbook is to be a practical tool for companies and entrepreneurs to help guide them through the initial steps of entering a distant and culturally different market.

As a marketing and promotion tool for Nordic companies a Digital Product Portfolio was established. Aim of the portfolio is to bring together industry’s SMEs and stimulating uptake of Baltic region’s NTFPs in Asian markets and, in particular, in Chinese market.

Within project lifetime several thematic webinars were held on subject of entering Asian export markets. Presentations and sometimes also recordings of these webinars can be accessed from links below:

Market Intelligence – Case Study on China from January 20th, 2021

Exporting to distant markets & Product Development trends from October 7th, 2020

Exporting Nordic natural products to Asian markets from June 2020

Project partners:

The lead partner of NovelBaltic is the University of Oulu. Altogether the project partners are from five Baltic Sea Region countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

• R&D institutions: University of Oulu, Centria vocational school, Food Institute of Kaunas University of Technology (KTU FI), Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry/Institute of Horticulture (LAMMC IH), The Finnish Forest Centre (Suomen metsäkeskus), NIBIO – The Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, SilvEXPO;
• business support organisations: Tartu Science Park and Aalto University

Programme: Interreg Baltic Sea Region

Project number:  Project #R079

Project implementation period: 30 months, 01.01.2019 – 30.06.2021

Total project budget: Total budget:  EUR 1,9 million, this includes European Regional Development Fund support in an amount of EUR 1.4 million and Norwegian Funding support in an amount of EUR 0.06 million

Project home page: NovelBaltic information is collected on the lead partners webpage: https://tki.centria.fi/project/novelbaltic/1956

Contact person:

Vaido Mikheim
Project Manager
mobile:+372 5309 5906
e-mail: vaido@teaduspark.ee