Atlantic Canadian seafood companies hook into world markets via Boston seafood show

It’s a late-winter ritual Atlantic Canadian fish and seafood companies have been undertaking for years –and this year is no exception. A delegation from Atlantic Canada is heading down to Boston, Massachusetts to meet, network and do business with international seafood buyers during North America’s largest fish and seafood tradeshow – the 2015 Seafood Expo North America.

Twenty-seven of those companies will be showcasing their mouthwatering and world-renowned products from March 15 to 17 under the Atlantic Pavilion, a joint effort assisted through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA) and coordinated this year by Taste of Nova Scotia. Through the IBDA, ACOA is providing up to $127,376, and the Atlantic provincial governments up to $54,589 towards the project, which also includes additional funding from the provinces and participating companies.

During the Expo, Atlantic Canadian companies will be exposed to buyers who represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and retail and foodservice companies from more than 100 countries around the world. The show also includes exhibitors who are marketing the newest seafood products, services, and processing and packaging equipment available in the market.

With 62 per cent of Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood exports, worth almost $2 billion, destined for the United States market last year, Seafood Expo North America is a key industry event for the Atlantic region’s fish and seafood industry.

Quick Facts

Atlantic Canada fish and seafood exports have been increasing at a phenomenal rate – from $2.58 billion dollars in 2010 to $3.53 billion in 2014 – an almost $1 billion increase over five years. (Source: Industry Canada, Trade Data Online)
In 2014, Canada exported nearly $5 billion worth of fish and seafood products. The Atlantic region accounts for more than 71 per cent of that amount. (Source: Industry Canada, Trade Data Online)
Seafood Expo North America includes over 1000 exhibitors from over 40 countries. Last year, over 20,000 people attended the Expo. (Source: Seafood Expo North America)
IBDA funding for the Seafood Expo North America Atlantic Pavilion is going towards a portion of the pavilion construction costs, business meeting rooms, and advertising.
The IBDA is a federal/provincial agreement between the Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada and is designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets. The IBDA is a key component of a pan-Atlantic effort to foster business relations, attract foreign investment and nurture technological co-operation.

Associated Links

Background

Companies and organizations exhibiting under the Atlantic Pavilion at Seafood Expo North America March 15-17, 2015

Prince Edward Island:

Nova Scotia:

Newfoundland and Labrador:

New Brunswick:

Contacts

Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241

Ronald Levesque
A/Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2085
Ronald.Levesque@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Ron Ryder
Senior Communications Officer
Innovation PEI
(902) 368-6859
rrryder@gov.pe.ca

Lorraine Doridam
Marketing and Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Business Inc.
(902) 424-6685
ldoridam@nsbi.ca

Elaine Bell
Director of Communications
New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
(506) 453-8607
Elaine.Bell@gnb.ca

Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-4570
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=949929&tp=1