Two new funding calls open for food companies pursuing international growth
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and midcap companies in the food and beverage sector will soon have access to two complementary funding opportunities to accelerate international growth. Food Exhibition Explorer provides grants for company groups to participate in international business-to-business exhibitions. Food Market Explorer, on the other hand, supports market research and the identification of potential customers or distributors.
The Finnish government has set an ambitious goal to double the value of food exports by 2031. The Food Exhibition Explorer and Food Market Explorer funding calls are implemented with dedicated funding allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to strengthen food security, increase the added value of the bioeconomy, and grow food exports for the years 2026–2027.
The funding calls, implemented in collaboration between Business Finland and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, will open on December 15, 2025.
Food Exhibition Explorer – visibility and trade from international exhibitions
The Food Exhibition Explorer is a grant targeted for groups of Finnish SMEs and midcap companies that manufacture foods, beverages, dietary supplements, novel foods, or pet foods to participate in B2B exhibitions held outside Finland.
Through these exhibition projects, companies can improve their capabilities for internationalization, promote the start of new export activities or the opening of a new market area, or promote the entry of existing products and new innovations into new markets.
The Food Exhibition Explorer call will be open from December 15, 2025, to December 31, 2027.
Learn more about the Food Exhibition Explorer funding call
Food Market Explorer – exploring new markets
The Food Market Explorer funding is targeted at Finnish SMEs and midcap companies manufacturing food, beverages, dietary supplements, novel foods, or pet foods for market research projects. The grant is intended for purchased expert services related to acquiring information on a new international market or customer segment.
The Food Market Explorer call will be open from December 15, 2025, to June 30, 2027.