Entering the world of exports is both exciting and challenging. One of the biggest questions every new exporter asks is: “How to find buyers for export?” As someone who has walked this path and successfully exported black tea, I want to share my personal journey, struggles, and learnings on how to find buyers for export business, especially for those just starting out.
When I started my export business, I chose black tea as my product. I was confident in the quality and demand for it in international markets. But like many new exporters, I quickly realized that the toughest part of the journey was how to find buyers for exporting.
Despite my research and efforts, I had to wait a very long time before I could find my first genuine buyer. That period taught me a very important lesson: in export, the first and foremost thing is patience.
Indian exporters should also explore the Government’s Trade Connect ePlatform, which brings together export-market information and buyer-discovery resources.
Useful features include Buyer Connect, Buyer Directory, Market Finder, Country Guides, Trade Events and Source from India.
👉 Start here: DGFT Trade Connect
For MSMEs, Trade Connect can be a useful starting point before spending money on private buyer databases.
Over time, I experimented with various methods to find international buyers. Some worked, some didn’t, but every step added to my learning:
https://businesszindagi.com/the-importance-of-participating-in-trade-fairs-exhibitions-for-msmes-a-gateway-to-global-exposure-learning/I attended two international trade fairs with high hopes. Surprisingly, I didn’t find a single buyer through them. This taught me that trade fairs are not a guaranteed solution. While they help build networks, they don’t always convert into actual deals.
I created a professional website for my export business to showcase my products, company profile, and contact details. While it did help in building credibility, it didn’t bring in buyers directly unless paired with other strategies like SEO and B2B platforms.
I registered my company on multiple B2B platforms, both paid and unpaid. What I learned is:
Eventually, one of my buyers found me through a B2B platform, confirming that these sites can work if used smartly and consistently.
Believe it or not, I found my first-ever buyer on Yahoo Messenger, many years ago. The buyer was from Singapore and that one conversation eventually turned into my first deal. This just shows that buyers can come from unexpected places, and staying open to all possibilities is crucial.
Many first-time exporters think that having a friend or relative abroad will help them find buyers. I tried this too and learned that it’s not a reliable method. Most of the time, your contacts are not in the right industry, or don’t have the network needed to help.
You may also like:how i executed my first export order without investment
Based on my personal journey, here’s what I believe works best:
DGFT’s Source from India service allows eligible Indian exporters to create a digital profile showcasing their products and business to international buyers.
In 2026, eligibility was expanded to include qualifying DPIIT-recognised startups, giving eligible startups another government-supported route to international visibility.
👉 Check your eligibility through Trade Connect before assuming you cannot participate.
The Government’s Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is another opportunity for MSMEs and first-time exporters looking for international buyers.
Its market-access support includes Buyer-Seller Meets, Trade Fairs, Trade Delegations and Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets.
So don’t look only for buyer email addresses—look for government-supported opportunities to meet and qualify buyers directly.
What if you could see which companies are already importing your product before you contact them?
Instead of sending hundreds of cold emails, you can research:
✅ Companies importing your product
✅ Importers and buyers by country
✅ Shipment history
✅ Suppliers they currently buy from
✅ Product and HS-code activity
✅ Potential markets for your product
For example, if you export Assam tea, don’t just search “tea buyers in Russia.”
Find out which Russian companies are actually importing tea, investigate their shipment activity and then approach the most relevant prospects.
👉 Find potential buyers with Volza
Research first. Verify the opportunity. Then contact the buyer.
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Finding buyers in the international market is not a one-size-fits-all process. If you’re wondering how to find buyers for export, remember my story. I waited a long time, tried multiple ways, and finally succeeded through a mix of persistence and learning.
Whether you’re wondering how to find buyers for exporting black tea or any other product, stay patient, stay active, and be open to all channels. Your first buyer might come from a trade show, a B2B site, or even an old-school messaging app like mine did. What matters most is that you don’t give up.
These resources provide practical guidance on export marketing and buyer search:
https://www.trade.gov/find-buyers-and-partners
https://www.solutions.kompass.com/blog/how-to-find-buyers-for-your-export-products/
https://razorpay.com/blog/how-to-find-genuine-export-buyers
https://www.tradeatlas.com/en/blog/how-to-find-buyers-for-export-business
https://www.exportersindia.com/buyers/
Tabrez Khan is the author on BusinessZindagi.com, a platform focused on practical knowledge for entrepreneurs, exporters and small business owners. The author regularly writes about international trade, export procedures, buyer acquisition and growth strategies for Indian businesses entering global markets.
The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to keep the content accurate and up to date, export regulations, market conditions, buyer behaviour and international trade policies can change over time and may vary by country and industry. Readers are advised to conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified export consultants, legal advisors or government trade bodies before entering into any international business agreement.
Parts of this article were prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve clarity, structure and readability. All content has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and relevance to exporters and entrepreneurs. However, AI-assisted content may not reflect the latest real-time regulatory updates or specific business circumstances. Always verify critical information from official and authoritative sources before making business decisions.
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