Projects Confunded by the EU

Project supported and financed by European Union Funds under the SI Qualification and Internationalization Incentive System.
Sociedade Agrícola do Monte Novo e Figueirinha, Lda., focused on the production of Alentejo Regional Wines and the production of olive oils.
Herdade do Monte Novo e Figueirinha has an area of 300 hectares of flat land of good quality, close to S. Brissos, about 5 km from Beja, in Alentejo.

Taking into account its medium and long-term strategy, the company submitted a project to the incentive system, within the scope of the Portugal2020 Internationalization programme, with the aim of supporting its internationalization strategy.
This project will contribute to the increase of a dynamic competitiveness factor, internationalization.

The promotion strategy in the international markets of Angola, Bulgaria, China, Brazil, United States of America, Mozambique, Canada, is based on a set of actions that cover the areas of market characterization, definition of action plans oriented to the specificities of the products of the company and target markets, creation of promotional material, carrying out contact actions, reverse actions, commercial actions, wine tasting, participation in international fairs, international competitions actions with the aim of increasing the reputation and visibility of the brands in the target markets.

Sociedade Agrícola do Monte Novo e Figueirinha, Lda., in the course of its activity and always with the aim of marketing products that offer unreserved pleasure, acquired customers all over the world, most of them importers of wine, but also with direct sales to specialty wine and gourmet products stores. The typical wine customer is a medium/high segment customer looking for an exquisite wine. With regard to olive oil, the target customer is a customer who values the characteristics and advantages of a superior quality olive oil.

With the realization of the investment plan, it was the promoter’s intention to continue the internationalization process through the penetration in new markets (United States of America, Mozambique, Canada) and the consolidation of the presence in the markets in which it already operates, with the objective of decrease dependence on the national market and increase international presence, placing the company in a less vulnerable position in relation to possible fluctuations in demand in the markets where it is present. In this sense, the promoters also considered as strategic objectives, the increase in the volume of exports and, consequently, the total turnover.

In carrying out the plan, a series of actions were carried out with a view to increasing our presence in international markets:

• Prospecting and making contacts in external markets (prospecting and attracting new customers): carrying out contact actions with players in the distribution chain, as well as tasting actions in strategic locations, normally frequented by a specialized target audience.
• Knowledge of foreign markets (Fairs/Exhibitions): participation in international fairs in the wine and olive oil sector, with the aim of making the company’s products known to the specialized public, whether importers, distributors or other potential buyers.
• International marketing: implementation of a communication plan aimed at foreign markets and restyling of product labels with the aim of giving them a new dynamic, presenting a more appealing and modern character, while simultaneously maintaining the vintage look.
• Development and international promotion of brands (promotion actions): carrying out advertising campaigns on billboards with the aim of communicating with the final consumer and reinforcing the image of the products sold.

By carrying out the internationalization project, with the support and financing of European Union Funds under the SI Qualification and Internationalization Incentive System, greater knowledge of international markets was achieved, new customers were attracted and new markets were penetrated , namely United States of America, Mozambique, Canada. As a result of the growth in sales to foreign markets, there was an increase in the volume of business, thus achieving the strategic objectives.