Canada’s fish and seafood exports strong and growing

The value of Canada’s fish and seafood exports continued trending upward in 2017 with $6.9 billion in exports just last year.

By Fabian Dawson

SeaWestNews

Once again this year, Canada has a significant presence at the Seafood Expo North America with over 100 exhibitors, that is being held in Boston, Massachusetts.

“With thousands of seafood buyers and sellers from around the world, Seafood Expo North America is the largest trade exposition of its kind in North America. It presents a tremendous opportunity for Canada to promote our world class fisheries management regime and our high-quality, sustainably-sourced fish and seafood products,” said Dominic LeBlanc Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

“Yet again, Canada’s high quality, safe and sustainably managed fish and seafood products  continue to be sought after the world over. With $6.9 billion exports just last year, our fish and seafood sector is strong and growing. Our government is committed to continuing to expand trade and economic opportunities for Canadian business.”

The value of Canada’s fish and seafood exports continued trending upward in 2017, with an overall increase of $312 million (5 percent) over the previous year, and total sales reaching $6.9 billion said Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) as it released trade figures for fish and seafood products exported by Canada in 2017.

The largest growth market for Canada’s exports was China, which saw a 25 percent ($194 million) increase from 2016, followed closely by Japan at 13 percent ($40 million). Exports to the U.S. were steady at a value of $4.3 billion.

Canada exported fish and seafood products to 137 countries last year.

Canada’s top three species exported globally in 2017 were lobster ($2.1 billion), snow/queen crab ($1.0 billion), and Atlantic salmon ($909 million). These Canadian products, and many more, are being showcased at the Seafood Expo North America from March 11-13, 2018.

Canada’s largest exports by value in 2017 were lobster, snow/queen crab, farmed Atlantic salmon, and shrimp.

The 2018 edition of the Seafood Expo North America features 1,341 exhibiting companies from 57 countries – including newcomers Fiji, Oman, Ukraine, and Venezuela – and more than 258,360 net square feet of exhibit space, an increase over the 253,660 net square feet available to explore in 2017. The three-day expo also packs a comprehensive conference program with more than 25 sessions, as well as a series of special events including a master class presentation, a chef demonstration, the 12th Oyster Shucking Competition, and the Seafood Excellence Awards competition for Best New Retail Product and Best New Foodservice Product.