Success stories

Entering the UK Premium Beef Market – Hilton Quota

Client

A leading Argentine beef producer and exporter, with over 50 years of experience in the meat industry and a strong international presence across global agricultural commodity markets.

The Challenge

Despite its long-standing track record and regular participation in major international trade fairs, the company had never been able to successfully achieve market entry into the UK — one of the most demanding, mature, and highly regulated premium beef markets in the world.

Key challenges included:

• Entering a mature market dominated by long-established competitors with entrenched buyer relationships

• Executing transactions within the UK’s complex regulatory, sanitary, and import framework

• Delivering a premium client experience from the first operation, meeting the highest commercial and quality standards expected by UK buyers

Actionate’s Approach

As a market entry specialist for agricultural commodities, Actionate initiated the engagement with a comprehensive UK market entry analysis, including:

• Identification of key buyers, importers, and decision-makers within the UK beef supply chain

• Competitive analysis and benchmarking of existing suppliers operating under the Hilton Quota

• Assessment of the producer’s competitive advantages and differentiation levers within the UK premium segment

Leveraging its proprietary opportunity exploration methodology for mature and regulated markets, combined with a culturally adapted go-to-market execution and outreach strategy tailored to UK counterparts, Actionate enabled direct market access that had remained out of reach for decades.

Execution & Results

• Mar 2024 – First engagement with the Argentine producer

• Dec 2024 – First sampling shipment successfully delivered to the UK (within 8 months of initial engagement)

• Dec-2025

  • Over 500 tons of premium Hilton Quota beef shipped to the UK

  • Approximately 30% market share of the UK Hilton Quota segment

  • Product listed and served in 75+ five-star hotels in London

Today, when ordering Argentine beef tenderloin in many of London’s leading luxury hotels, there is a strong likelihood that it originates from this UK market entry and commercial development led by Actionate.

Key Takeaway

Actionate delivers go-to-market execution and commercial operations for agricultural commodities, transforming complex UK market entry challenges into measurable and sustainable results — even within the most competitive and regulated environments.

Building Direct Market Presence in Italy – Peanut Industry

Client

A leading Argentine peanut producer, with more than 40 years of experience and an established export footprint across multiple international markets, seeking direct market access in Italy.

The Challenge

Historically, the company sold its products through traders and brokers, who typically prioritize end customers over long-term supplier relationships. While this approach enabled broad geographic reach, it limited the company’s ability to build a direct, stable presence in the Italian market.

The strategic objective was clear: transition from an indirect, trader-driven model to direct relationships with Italian customers, gaining control over positioning, volumes, and long-term growth.

Prior to Actionate’s involvement, annual sales in Italy averaged 500 tons, entirely through local traders and brokers.

The Italian peanut market posed additional challenges:

• A highly commoditized agricultural market

• Intense competition, with 15–20 suppliers vying for every order

• Low customer loyalty and high price sensitivity

Actionate’s Approach

As a market entry specialist for agricultural commodities, Actionate began its collaboration in 2021 with a comprehensive mapping of key Italian buyers and decision-makers.

This was followed by:

• Direct outreach and on-site visits to major Italian buyers

• Strategic positioning of the Argentine producer as a reliable, long-term partner, not just a commodity supplier

• A structured go-to-market execution process to ensure consistency, reliability, and continuity in customer interactions

The goal was not only to sell, but to position the company as a top-tier supplier in a competitive and low-loyalty market.

Execution & Results

• Establishment of direct, long-term commercial relationships with Italian customers

• Consistent order repetition year after year

• Continuous optimization of logistics, including storage, import processes, and transportation, reducing total landed costs

Today, the results are clear:

• Annual sales to the Italian market consistently exceed 5,000 tons

• A tenfold increase in volume compared to the start of the collaboration

• Transition from sporadic, trader-driven sales to stable, recurring direct business

Key Success Factors

• Continuous relationship building and frequent, direct client engagement

• Deep understanding of Italian business culture, where proximity and trust are critical

• Ongoing logistics and supply chain optimization to improve overall cost efficiency

• A partnership-driven approach, replacing the traditional buyer–supplier dynamic

Key Takeaway

In commoditized and highly competitive agricultural markets, relationships, consistency, and execution discipline are decisive. Actionate enables producers to achieve direct market access in Italy, delivering sustainable, long-term growth through structured go-to-market execution and professional commercial operations.

2026 conference attendance

Marca by BolognaFiere

14-15 January 2026
Bologna, Italy

Come meet us in person.

SIGEP World

16-20 January 2026
Rimini, Italy

TUTTOFOOD

11-14 May 2026
Milan, Italy

SIAL Paris

17-21 October 2026
Villepinte, France

Get in touch

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We welcome new relationships with suppliers and buyers across our markets.

Phone

+39 392 944 8913

Email

actionate.international@gmail.com