Why Most Canadian SMEs Fail at Exporting (and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes Before You Start)

Exporting offers major growth potential for Canadian SMEs, but many businesses fail not because of weak demand, but because they expand before they are truly ready. Regulatory gaps, logistics missteps, cash-flow strain, and cultural misunderstandings quietly derail international expansion. This article explains why most Canadian SMEs struggle with exporting and outlines how a structured export readiness assessment helps identify risks early, prioritize the right actions, and build a sustainable path to global growth before costly mistakes are made.