More Opportunities for Atlantic Canadian Seafood in China
With middle class incomes on the rise in China, the demand for Atlantic Canadian seafood products is rapidly increasing. Atlantic Canada’s seafood companies are ready to position themselves in the Chinese market, and are enthusiastic about partnerships they will build at this year’s Seafood Expo Asia, which is being held in Wanchai, Hong Kong, September 6 to 8, 2016.
The Lobster Council of Canada is leading an Atlantic delegation of 14 companies who are attending this year’s Expo, thanks to an investment of $124,133 from the Government of Canada through ACOA’s Business Development Program, and an additional $20,000 in support from the four Atlantic provinces. This business mission aligns with the trade and investment pillar of the recently announced Atlantic Growth Strategy, by helping Atlantic Canadian companies succeed in international markets.
It’s easy to see why Atlantic Canadian companies are excited to showcase their products at Seafood Expo Asia, which represents significant potential for the seafood sector with buyers in Hong Kong, China, and Asia as a whole. In 2015, Atlantic Canadian companies exported $930 million in fish and seafood products to Asia. Nearly half of the region’s seafood exported to Asia is exported to China, for a value of over $432 million, and of that amount, nearly $116 million is exported directly to Hong Kong. Businesses are hoping their participation in Seafood Expo Asia will only increase their sales. In fact, the companies attending the Expo expect their long term sales to grow by more than 20 per cent as a direct result of their participation.
The federal-provincial funding will allow for cohesive planning that will help maximize participant’s chances to succeed at the Expo. In addition to the opportunity to exhibit within an Atlantic Canadian pavilion, participants will benefit from translation services, professional business matchmaking services, and marketing activities including restaurant promotions and seafood demonstrations at master classes during the Expo.
Quotes
“Atlantic Canadian seafood products are known around the world for their high quality. The Government of Canada is pleased to work hand in hand with provincial partners and industry to support Atlantic Canada’s seafood companies as they explore promising Asian markets. This is a great example of how expanding into new markets can be beneficial for companies, and how Atlantic Canadian Companies are achieving success on the world stage.”
- Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
“The Asian market has represented fantastic export growth for all sectors of the Canadian lobster industry with both live and processed Canadian lobster featured on menus and in retail/online platform sales throughout the region. The Lobster Council of Canada welcomes the opportunity to work with the federal government, the Atlantic provinces, and our partners across the seafood sector on this important regional Asian trade show as we continue to work together to grow the market for all Canadian seafood products.”
- Geoff Irvine, Lobster Council of Canada
Quick Facts
• In 2015, Canada exported $6.1 billion worth of fish and seafood products. The Atlantic region accounts for over 73 percent of Canada's total fish and seafood exports at nearly $4.4 billion.
• In 2015, 63 per cent of the region's fish and seafood exports were destined to the US, while nearly 10 percent went to China, a number only poised to grow. In the longer term, 85 per cent of the retail growth in high-value foods will be in Asia according to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
• In addition to being a gateway for trade and an ideal entry point to mainland China, Hong Kong alone is home to more than 7 million people and enjoys a growing and competitive seafood market with a total value of $2.55 billion of imported fish and seafood products.
Companies Attending
Nova Scotia
World Link Food Distributors Inc. (Goffs, NS)
Nautical Seafoods Ltd. (Annapolis Royal, NS)
Gidney Fisheries Ltd. (Digby Neck, NS)
Amos and Andy Fisheries Ltd. (Sambro, NS)
Ocean Pride Fisheries Ltd (Lower Wedgeport, NS).
Capital Seafood International Inc. (Eastern Passage, NS)
Victoria Co-op Fisheries (Nell’s Harbour, NS)
Wellink Seafoods (Clark’s Harbour, NS)
New Brunswick
Maison Beausoleil (Néguac, NB)
ACR Worldwide Ltd. (Saint John, NB)
Prince Edward Island
Raspberry Point Oysters (Charlottetown, PEI)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Green Seafoods Ltd. (Trinity Bay, NL)
Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (St. John’s, NL)
Labrador Gem Seafood (St. John’s, NL)