Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has wrapped up a successful 10-day visit to China.
The government says the mission will help Canada reach its goal of growing global agri-food exports to $75 billion by 2025.
“China is a fast-growing market. More and more Chinese consumers are looking for the safe, high-quality food that Canadian farmers and processors deliver," said MacAulay. "The Government of Canada is working to get even more of our quality food products on Chinese store shelves and e-commerce platforms, creating good, well-paying jobs in Canada and helping to strengthen our middle class.”
From Shanghai to Guangzhou to Beijing, MacAulay took every opportunity to showcase Canada’s safe, high-quality food products to one of the world’s most competitive and desired markets for agriculture.
Through meetings with his counterpart, Minister Han Changfu, and with Minister Zhi Shuping from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), a path has been set for continued stable trade for agricultural products.
China is Canada’s second-most valuable agri-food export market, after the U.S.
Below is a list of goals met on the trip:
- Industry representatives reported some $10.3 million in on-site sales at Food and Hospitality China, and $43 million in anticipated sales over the next year.
- Holding Export Café’s in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, which brought Canadian agricultural exporters face-to-face with Chinese importers to create new leads and sales opportunities.
- Boosting the profile of Canadian agricultural products on online platforms through Savour Canada tasting events in Shanghai and Beijing that targeted high-volume e-commerce and VIP buyers and media.
- Participating in the launch and promotion of “Canada Food Week” at major grocery retail chain CitySuper to highlight Canadian food products.
- Signing numerous company-to-company deals, including between:
- China’s largest manufacturer and processor, COFCO, and Nova Scotia’s Oxford Frozen Foods. Industry estimates the deal will increase sales to China by $17.5 million over three years.
- Signing new cooperation and collaboration agreements, including:
- The Wild Blueberry Association of North America and China’s Jin Jiang International signed a collaborative agreement to strengthen product development, market promotion and health research.
- The Government of Canada signed a new arrangement and memorandum of understanding with China, including:
- The 2017-18 Cooperative Arrangement between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and China’s counterparts, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to set a path for continued stable trade of agricultural products, including canola.
- renewing the MoU on Biotechnology between the CFIA and China’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Source: cochranenow.com