Fisheries and Aquaculture
November 12, 2009
Province Continues Seafood
Market Development in China
The Provincial Government
continues its efforts to work with the province�s
seafood production sector to develop markets in China
and Asia. For the fourth year in a row, representatives
from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and
fishing industry participated in the China Fisheries and
Seafood Exhibition in Qingdao. Companies participating
from this province included Ocean Choice International (OCI),
Beothic Fish Processors Limited and the Fogo Island
Cooperative. The province has provided financial support
to each of these companies to facilitate their
participation in the show.
�Newfoundland and Labrador produces some of the best
quality seafood in the world,� said the Honourable Tom
Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
�Improved marketing of these excellent products
continues to be a priority for our government and we
will continue to work with the industry toward this
goal. Attending seafood shows in target markets is a
critical component of our strategy for working with the
province�s seafood producing sector to build new
markets.�
During this time of downturn in the global seafood
industry, international markets have become increasingly
competitive. China is a very important market for
seafood because it is growing and provides access to
many Asian countries that are high-level consumers of
seafood products.
"China is a fast growing market with great opportunities
for the future,� said Blaine Sullivan, Chief Executive
Officer of OCI. �No doubt, China will be extremely
important for commodity items as well as high quality
Canadian seafood. There were a number of serious buyers,
providing real opportunities at this year�s show.�
�China has become a very important market for
Newfoundland and Labrador seafood and particularly for
pelagic species such as capelin and mackerel,� said Paul
Grant, Executive Vice-President of Beothic Fish
Processors Limited. �As competition with other producing
nations intensifies, China's importance to us as a
seafood market will only grow.�
�The show has been very beneficial to our business
during the past few years,� said Phil Barnes of the Fogo
Island Co-operative. �It has opened new doors and
enhanced opportunities especially for underdeveloped
species such as sea cucumber. Our presence at this event
has also strengthened our ability to market all of our
products globally.�
The Provincial Government�s primary focus in seafood
marketing is to work with the Newfoundland and Labrador
industry to achieve increased market awareness and
acceptance of a wide variety of provincial seafood
products in global markets. Key activities include
organization of trade shows and missions, seafood
promotion, as well as market research and intelligence
gathering. Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong
Foundation allocated $1.6 million for seafood marketing.
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Media
contacts:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
|
Blaine Sullivan
Chief Operating Officer
Ocean Choice International
709-782-7122
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Phil Barnes
General Manager
Fogo Island Co-operative
709-627-3452 |
Paul Grant
Executive Vice-President
Beothic Fish Processors Limited
709-753-6884 |
2009 11 12
9:55 a.m.
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