Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick and the B.C. delegation have returned home after completing a successful trade mission to China. The tour included several deals that could increase B.C.’s agrifood exports by about $100 million within a few years.

The trade mission featured a strong B.C. presence led by Letnick and representatives from the province’s blueberry, cherry and speciality meat industry. Led by Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, between June 13 and June 22, 2014, industry and government leaders from across Canada met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The highlights of the ‘building markets for B.C. foods’ themed trade mission included:

• An agreement between the Governments of Canada and China that will lead to full, unimpeded access for fresh B.C. cherries into China. In 2013, B.C. shipped $3.9 million worth of fresh cherries to China for the first time. With the new agreement, B.C. cherry growers estimate up to $20 million dollars in new revenue annually in the next few years.
• Ongoing progress towards fresh B.C. blueberries being approved for sale in the Chinese market. It is estimated B.C. growers could be looking at up to $65 million worth of exports a year once the agreement is fully implemented.
• Minister Letnick attended the 20th annual World Meat Congress in Beijing.
• The trade mission built on the already successful partnerships across the agrifoods sector including pork, beef and value-added products such as syrups, concentrates, sauces, seasonings and dessert fillings.

China is the second-largest export market for B.C. agrifoods. In 2013, exports to China increased to $234 million, almost double that of 2010. Last year, British Columbia exported $2.7 billion of agrifoods to more than 140 countries, an increase of about $200 million from the year before.

Expanding international markets is a key commitment of government’s Agrifoods Strategy, a component of the BC Jobs Plan, to lead the agrifoods sector growth into a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017.

Quotes:

Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick -

“Thanks to Minister Ritz, the trade mission provided us with an important opportunity to meet directly with Chinese officials and reinforce B.C.’s stellar reputation of producing high quality and trusted foods. It was a successful tour and B.C. looks forward to building on the momentum from our visit to China and continuing to increase on our already record-setting exports.”

BC Cherry Council representative Christine Dendy -

“We were very pleased to have Minister Letnick join the trade mission - he was a real champion for B.C. farm exports. We were very pleased to get a formal agreement signed for cherry exports, but the mission also provided great opportunities for promotion, learning the trends of China’s markets, and developing good trade contacts for our producers.”

BC Blueberry Council executive director Debbie Etsell -

“The recent trade mission to China with Minister Letnick and Minister Ritz was a successful venture. The business relationships that were formed and the opportunity for the blueberry industry to work together with the ministers, staff and trade representatives in China will build capacity for the future of our industry.”

Donald's Fine Foods chairman Donald Leung -

“This trade mission with Minster Letnick and the B.C. Government trade office allowed us to meet new potential customers in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.”

Learn More:

2013 Export Highlights - B.C. Agrifoods statistics: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/stats/Export/2013BCAgrigoodsExportHighlights.pdf

Minister Letnick at B.C. cherries signing ceremony: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/14258861898/

Minister Letnick visiting Beijing Wine Shop that displays quality B.C. ice wine: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/14259399908/in/set-72157626295553182

Minister Letnick serving up blueberries at Beijing cooking demonstration: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/14267093558/in/set-72157626295553182

Media Contacts:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (cell)