Canadian agri-food continues to expand Asian market share

The FoodEx Japan international food and beverage exhibition held in Chiba, Japan, from March 5 to 8, 2013, drew another strong contingent of Canadian agri-food retailers, who are seeing record sales as a direct result of their participation. The Canadian contingent was joined on March 6 by Canada's Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Gerry Ritz, who was in Japan on a trade mission that included a visit to the Canada Pavilion and interactions with Canadian retailers and their customers.

Canadian industry participation in Asia's largest food and beverage trade show produced $2.6 million in on-site sales, with 444 new qualified trade leads. These new qualified trade leads are expected to generate an estimated $35.8 million in sales, representing a 120 per cent increase over 2012 results.

The Canada Pavilion at FoodEx was funded in partnership with the Government of Canada through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The partnership between AAFC and Canadian retailers will result in a return on investment of $270 for every $1 invested by AAFC—a 315 per cent increase over 2012. FoodEx is the leading trade show in Asia and a priority export marketing platform for Canada. AAFC's presence at FoodEx assists Canadian companies in competing for market share in the Asian market.

"Our government partners with exporters in promoting the exceptional and innovative quality of Canadian agri-food products," said Minister Ritz. "Canada's participation at FoodEx this year proved to be a prime investment and produced immediate results generating six times more in on-site sales than last year. Increasing Canadian exports creates jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity, and remains at the forefront of our government's priorities."

FoodEx attracts 75,000 buyers from 65 countries and serves as a springboard to many lucrative Asian markets. This year, a diverse group of 25 Canadian exhibitors representing many of agri-food and beverage sectors, from beef to beer to berries, made up the Canada Pavilion.

Under Growing Forward 2, the new AgriMarketing program will continue to support industry-led initiatives to open, access, and sell to markets in Canada and abroad.