Exporting

In the early 2000s, as the popularity of Domaine Lafrance ciders was growing across Québec, Éric and Julie began entertaining the idea of taking their Domaine Lafrance ice cider worldwide.

They did it gradually, entering the ice cider in international competitions, nurturing contacts. A few years later, they were exporting to Japan. The client was satisfied, Japanese consumers became enamoured with the product, and the orders multiplied.

Buoyed by their success in Japan, Éric and Julie focused on further developing their network. They participated in the SIAL Montréal international food tradeshow, where they met several influential industry people. Before they knew it, Domaine Lafrance ice cider was on the shelves of the 196 Monoprix stores across France. They observed during their business trips that the French responded well to their product, including the French media, which had nothing but praise for the ice cider “from their Québec cousins!”

After Japan and France came China, where Domaine Lafrance also made a splash.

Éric and Julie continue to be relentless in their search for new markets. “Exporting requires a great deal of time and building relations,” explains Julie. “Each prospective market represents a new challenge, although one we embrace wholeheartedly.”