Food Distributors / Food Distribution Companies

Food distributors are companies that distribute a wide assortment of food products.

Food products are a major product category that is handled via international distribution chains.

Therefore, we find it important to provide more information about food distributors.

ALL ABOUT FOOD DISTRIBUTORS:

The role of food distributors.
How to work/engage with food distributors.
Aspects suppliers should keep in mind when they are planning to introduce their products to food distributors.
Tips for doing business with food distributors
International food distributors list.
Food Distributors List

Food Distribution, Products and Distributors List / Food Distribution Samples.

These food distributors are handling following products:

Vegan cheese from Bute Island Foods Ltd.
Organic dried spices from Green Mediterranean Company SRO.
Certified Organic, Vegan and Gluten-Free Asian cooking pastas and sauces from Mekhala Pte Ltd.
Omega 3 DHA & cold pressed extra virgin rapeseed oil from Sussed Nutrition Ltd.
Corn snacks from Life Snack.
Deli meats and charcuterie from Levoni Srl.
Jam, Spread and Honey from Maynys Ltd.
Gourmet products from Davinzi GmbH.
Meat and Pastry products from Unibel CEE Kft.
Canned Artichokes, Sweet Red Peppers, Strawberries in Light Syrup, Cherries in Syrup and Medlars in Light Syrup from Hijos de Pablo Gil Guillén S.L.
Luxury meal kits from Fratelli Desideri Srl.
Frozen Baked Bread from Proteinfabrikken Sverige AB.
Dairy and meat products from Dimitar Madjarov 2 Ltd.
Garlic bread from Saldus Maiznieks Co.
Pasta from OBA Makarna.
Sweet and Savoury Baked Snacks from Laurieri Srl.
Beet Chips & Sea Salt from LIVEN S.A.
Honey and bees products from Royal Bees.
Legume chips from Lomeo SRO.
Tomato and peppers spread, tomato paste from Bulcons Parvomay Ltd.
Frozen Bakery products from Della Porta Srl.
More about food distribution.

Who are the food distributors and what role they play in food business?

They are are businesses that distribute food products to business-customers and to consumers via retail sector.

Some of the most popular product categories among food distributors are:

Agro Products;
Asian Food Products;
Beverages;
Candies;
Canned Food;
Cheese;
Chocolate;
Coffee;
Dairy Products;
Energy Drinks;
Gourmet Food Products;
Health Food Products;
Italian Food Products;
Meat Products;
Mineral Water;
Olive Oil;
Olives;
Pasta;
Poultry Products;
Seafood;
Spanish Food Products;
Sport Food Products;
Supplements;
Tea;
Wine.

The major food distributors located in Europe and USA, as these markets are most advanced in terms of distribution-infrastructures.

Food distribution companies mostly purchase food products from qualified food manufacturers and authorized suppliers on a contractual basis according to their supply chain requirements.

This means that food manufacturers typically produce ordered products according to specific requirements of the distributors. All aspects of required products, including product specifications, certifications, packaging, labeling, quantities and so on are discussed and clarified in advance.

How To Work/Engage With Food Distributors

Engaging and working with food distributors is essential for any food producer.

There are practically no chances to expand a business without getting products distributed to larger market segments, especially when it comes to export.

There are, however, some aspects that need to be taken into consideration in order to get into business with international food distributors.

What aspects should suppliers keep in mind when they are planning to introduce their products to food distributors in certain markets?

Every food distributor has its own sanitary and technical requirements for certain products according to local food safety legislations, market demand and criteria.

Some Examples:

Food Safety

When dealing with human consumption products, food distributors are naturally very demanding about food safety, which is specifically legislated in most international markets and territories.

Limited Allowances of Pesticides

In some countries, especially in Europe, the maximum residue levels (MRL) of pesticides in and on food products is very restricted.

Therefore, products that contain more pesticides than what is allowed are usually prohibited to enter consumer markets.

Supermarket chains and other retail distributors usually demand 33% to 70% of the legal MRL in order to minimize their liability risks.

Distributors often ask suppliers to provide information about pesticide level in certain products in advance.

Contaminants

Contaminants are substances that may affect products during the various stages of production, packaging, warehousing or transportation.

As such, distributors regularly have strict logistics requirements for ordered products in order to avoid product contamination.

If shipments are arranged by suppliers, the product safety requirements during the transportation should be met by the suppliers.

Microbiological Criteria

Food suppliers must take into account testing procedures for microbiological hazards such as salmonella and E. coli.

These substances should be absolutely absent when products undergo a testing procedure.

Certifications such as IFS, BRC, and other, which are based on HACCP criteria, are applicable.

Majority of food distributors require the implementation of food safety certification based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

Labelling and Packaging

Food products that enter distribution chains are required to comply with food labelling and packaging legislations.

Among other information, product labels should inform a consumer about manufacturer, product ingredients and recommended storage method.

Clear labelling of products is required for both bulk and individually packed consumer goods.

How to Introduce Products to Food Distributors

Approved suppliers of our supply chain may create their own profiles within our platform with product presentations according to specific parameters that are required by food distributors.

Suppliers may list products that they are interested in introducing to this market, upload product pictures and add wholesale prices as an option.

Food distributors will be able to select products and suppliers according to their specific preferences and approach selected suppliers for further negotiations regarding possible orders and delivery options.

Transportation

When certain products are approved by distributors, they may place orders and select available shipment options.

Most often, shipments from manufacturers to food distributors go on FCL or FTL basis. However, for some orders distributors may require LCL and LTL shipments as well, especially for trial orders.

Therefore, it is recommended that suppliers should have the possibilities to offer such delivery options, provided that minimal order quantities (MOQ) are met.

Tips for doing business with food distributors

The food market is highly competitive due to a large variety of supplies from many different countries. Suppliers are therefore strongly recommended to comply with established industry standards, focus on required quality criteria, deliveries sustainability and supply chain management integrity.

The following tips are important to keep in mind for the best chance of a successful business relationships or transactions with food distributors:

Always provide clear product information in your presentation and during your communications with distributors.
Do your outmost to meet your distributors’ criteria.
Make sure to meet packaging requirements.
Keep your prices at a competitive level.
Always follow your contractual agreements with your distributors.

More information about products and top food distributors.

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Distributors: Italian, Spanish, French, German, Turkish, Greeks.

Food Distributors List

Food distributors in USA, Canada, Europe (including UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and others), South America (including Brazil and Mexico), South Africa and China.