This guide is for business-to-business planning. Product availability, regulatory requirements and document acceptance must always be confirmed for the destination market.
Build forecasts by SKU
Forecast at product-strength-pack level, not only by molecule. Review demand history, tenders, promotions, registration timing and seasonal effects.
Understand lead-time components
Raw and printed material procurement, production scheduling, testing, release and export documentation each add time. A single headline lead time can hide these dependencies.
Set replenishment rules
Agree minimum stock, reorder triggers and review frequency based on demand volatility and transport time. Buyers should also account for shelf-life remaining at receipt.
Communicate changes early
Forecast increases, artwork revisions and registration changes can disrupt planned supply. Regular, transparent updates help both trading and manufacturing partners respond responsibly.