B.C. food businesses sold more products outside of Canada than ever before in 2015.
Exports reached a record $3.5 billion, according to recent statistics.
“The partnership between the B.C. and federal governments and B.C. food companies has resulted in 20 per cent growth in exports in one year, and a new record of $3.5 billion set in 2015,” said Norm Letnick, B.C. agriculture minister and Lake Country MLA.
One way the two governments are working with B.C. companies to build on exports is through an export ready business catalogue.
The catalogue features close to 100 B.C. producers of fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, packaged food, natural health products and beverage makers, and all of them are ready to sell. Each profile includes an introduction to the company or association and their products, their current export markets, and markets they are interested in expanding to.
The guides will be available in multiple languages, online and at trade offices and shows.
B.C. companies exported more than 600 types of foods to more than 150 markets in 2015.
“As Canada’s westernmost province, B.C. is perfectly located to send fresh and tasty B.C. agri-food and seafood products to the Asia Pacific region, and consumers there are interested, with China and South Korea both among the fastest growing major markets in 2015,” states a release.
The provincial government has focused on helping the province’s agri-food businesses expand sales through a network of 13 international trade offices, and trade missions have established and fostered relationships with buyers from around the world.
This is in addition to the federal government’s trade offices and ongoing trade missions around the world. The two governments also deliver a $4.3-million program that provides matching funds to support B.C. industry participation at international trade shows, promotional events, and to develop marketing materials for international audiences.