Canada: Gov. helps food processors reach export markets
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell) and Member of Parliament Chungsen Leung (Willowdale) announced an investment of up to $2.65 million to the Canadian Food Exporters Association (CFEA) to help food and beverage processors increase their competitiveness in key global markets around the world.
The CFEA will lead missions with its members to major international trade shows in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as smaller ones in Latin America and Africa, showcasing Canada’s safe, high-quality food products to international buyers. Trade shows provide industry members with valuable opportunities to promote the quality, safety advantages, and environmental benefits of Canadian products; to create new international contacts; and to strengthen existing business relationships.
This investment is made through the Government of Canada’s AgriMarketing Program, a five-year, $341 million initiative under Growing Forward 2. The objective of the Program’s Market Development stream is to build and promote Canada’s ability to expand domestic and export markets by undertaking promotional activities to help position and differentiate Canadian products and producers and ensure the industry’s ability to meet market requirements.
• The food and beverage processing industry is one of Canada’s largest manufacturing industries in terms of value of production and is the largest manufacturing employer, providing jobs for 297,000 Canadians.
• Exports of processed food and beverage products were worth $24.6 billion in 2012 (an increase of 5.6 per cent from 2011) and reached 185 countries.
• The CFEA is a voluntary, non-profit industry association that aims to increase exports and raise the international profile of Canadian food, beverage, and ingredient products.
• Canada and the European Union (EU) have reached an agreement in principle on a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that will significantly boost trade and investment ties. Upon entry into force, almost 94 per cent of EU agricultural tariff lines will be duty-free.
“Our government’s top priority remains the economy. Canada’s food processing industry plays a vital role in creating jobs and keeping our economy strong, and by helping the industry boost sales in international markets we are creating new opportunities for Canadian farmers and businesses to grow and prosper,” Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux.
“It is exciting to see the Canadian Food Exporters Association, based here in Willowdale, performing valuable work to assist hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses leverage export opportunities achieved through our Government’s aggressive trade agenda, including the Canada-EU Trade Agreement,” Chungsen Leung, Member of Parliament for Willowdale.
Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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