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The food trading and distribution arm of Functional Brands Group.
Union Trade is the US-registered trading and distribution arm of Functional Brands Group. We source food and ingredients, represent food and beverage brands, and negotiate the deals that put them in front of buyers across the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
What does Union Trade do?
Union Trade sits between the people who make food and the people who buy it, and makes the deal work for both. On one side are producers and brands that want to sell in new markets. On the other are importers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers that need reliable supply.
Our work covers:
- Sourcing ingredients and finished products against a buyer's specification
- Representing food and beverage brands to distributors, retailers and foodservice buyers
- Negotiating price structures, Incoterms, payment terms and contracts
- Coordinating logistics and import steps with vetted freight forwarders and licensed customs brokers
We work in eight categories, from nuts, seeds and honey to tea, coffee and functional beverages.
How does Union Trade fit into Functional Brands Group?
Functional Brands Group is a London-based group that works on strategy, brand building, marketing and capital for food and FMCG companies. Union Trade is its US-registered trading and distribution arm. The group shapes the brand and the plan. Union Trade carries it into the market and closes the deals.
| Functional Brands Group | Union Trade | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Strategy and growth | Execution of trade |
| Core work | Brand strategy, positioning, marketing, capital | Sourcing, brokerage, negotiation, distribution, market entry |
| Question it answers | What should we build, for whom, and why? | Who will buy it, on what terms, and how does it get there? |
| Website | functional-brands.com (London, UK) | union-trade.net (registered in Wyoming, USA) |
A project can use both: strategy and packaging with Functional Brands Group, then co-manufacturer search, label checks and buyer introductions with Union Trade.
How we work
- Specification first. Every sourcing or listing project starts with a written brief: product, specification, volume, destination market and timing.
- Compliance before commitment. Specifications, certificates, labels and import requirements are checked before contracts are signed, not after the container lands.
- Landed cost, not just price. We model the cost to the buyer's door, so both sides see the full cost early.
- Both sides of the table. Our team has sold to retailers and bought for distributors. We know what each side needs before it says yes.
- Clear roles. We tell every party in a deal which side we represent.
- Specialist partners for regulated work. Customs entries and import filings are made by licensed customs brokers. Freight forwarders handle shipping, and regulatory consultants advise on rules and labels. We coordinate; they file and advise.
Who leads Union Trade?
Eugene Nikolaev — Founder & Managing Director
Eugene founded Union Trade in 2024 as the trading arm of Functional Brands Group. He has more than 20 years of experience in food and FMCG and leads Union Trade's sourcing, brand representation and negotiation work.
"The deals that last are the ones where both sides understand the specification, the landed cost and the terms before they sign. That is the work Union Trade does: the practical detail between a good product and a full shelf."
— Eugene Nikolaev, Founder & Managing Director
Who do we work with?
- Producers and brands that want to enter or grow in the US, UK or EU. For producers & brands
- Buyers: importers, distributors, wholesalers, packers, manufacturers, retailers, foodservice and private-label buyers. For buyers
- Brand builders developing new products or private label, together with Functional Brands Group. Brand development & private label
Company information
- Legal name: Union Trade LLC
- Entity: Wyoming limited liability company, established 2024
- Wyoming filing ID: 2024-001558525
- Registered office: 2120 Carey Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
- Group: Functional Brands Group (functional-brands.com)
- Markets served: United States, United Kingdom, European Union
- Email: eugene@union-trade.net
Frequently asked questions
Is Union Trade part of Functional Brands Group?
Yes. Union Trade is the US-registered trading and distribution arm of Functional Brands Group. Functional Brands Group works on strategy, brand building, marketing and capital from London. Union Trade handles the trade itself: sourcing, brokerage, negotiation, distribution and market entry across the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Where is Union Trade registered?
Union Trade LLC is a Wyoming limited liability company, established in 2024 under filing ID 2024-001558525. Its registered office is 2120 Carey Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA. We work with producers, brands and buyers in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. The quickest way to reach us is eugene@union-trade.net.
How much experience is behind Union Trade?
Union Trade was established in 2024. The experience behind it belongs to the Functional Brands Group team, which has grown more than 50 brands, and to our founder, Eugene Nikolaev, who has more than 20 years in food and FMCG. Selected, anonymized work by the group team, with client names withheld, is on our track record page.
Can I work with Union Trade and Functional Brands Group on the same project?
Yes. Some projects need both. A brand might work with Functional Brands Group on positioning, packaging and the growth plan, then with Union Trade on co-manufacturer search, label checks, buyer introductions and listing negotiations. You get one plan, with each company doing the part it is set up for. You can start with either.