Quebec food firms receive marketing funding
Canada exports more than $26 bn worth of food products every year to over 175 countries. Indeed, exports account for half of all products grown on Canadian farms, be they direct primary products or processed products.
The new funding, to the tune of C$944,000, is provided to food processors through the Canadian Agriculture and Food International program.
“This government is working hard to open up markets around the world so that Canadian farmers can sell more products to more customers,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This investment in industry is another way to help agricultural exporters expand opportunities across international borders.”
The funding is earmarked to help processors attend events such as international trade fairs, SIAL in Montreal (Salon International d’Alimentation) and the Canadian Agri-Food Export Gala.
Canadian Agriculture and Food International program stresses that, in a globally competitive commercial environment, there is a fierce need for constant innovation, and for leveraging the reputation of Canada as a brand.
The international strategy is built around branding and building recognition, improving market access, and overcoming technical barriers to trade.
According to Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture), the SIAL event, which takes place 1 to 30 April 2009, has a major economic impact. The 2007 is sad to have generated some $23m in sales.
New agreements
The announcement of the funding comes just a week after Minister Ritz struck a new agreement in principle with to increase Canadian beef exports in Hong Kong.
The first memorandum of understanding was also recently signed for the export of Canadian goods to India.
"These new marketing opportunities will help Canada to weather the current economic uncertainty and come out stronger than ever,” said Ritz.
