Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods
November 16, 2016
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods:
Minister Promotes Province’s Seafood Industry at 2016 China Fisheries and Seafood Expo
Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight the Provincial Government’s participation at the 2016 China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, which took place in Qingdao, China, from November 2 to 4.
This important seafood expo allowed us to promote our quality seafood products to interested Chinese companies and help our producers build relationships in this important market. China is our second largest export destination for seafood products. More than $200 million – or 20 per cent – of our seafood exports went to China last year. Our key seafood exports to China include shrimp, snow crab, capelin, seal and turbot. As we transition to groundfish, China will continue to be an important market for us.
Mr. Speaker, I was also pleased to join federal and provincial counterparts in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ministerial Trade Mission events in Qingdao and Beijing. These meetings and events give us the opportunity to discuss market access and trade development issues for Canadian seafood and agriculture products with federal/provincial colleagues and government officials in China.
Mr. Speaker, in 2015 our seafood industry was valued at over $1.2 billion. Participating in events such as the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo has the potential to open up additional business and opportunities for our producers and we are proud to continue this valuable support for our seafood industry.
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2016 11 16 2:20 p.m.