he Government of Canada Helps Farmers and Agri-Food Exporters Develop New Markets
Quebec City, Quebec, August 4, 2010 - The Government of Canada is helping farmers and agri-food exporters create new trade opportunities by showcasing livestock and Canadian premium products at international trade fairs and on trade missions. The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), was pleased to announce today investments totalling up to $3.3 million in support of these efforts.
"Every year, Quebec holds distinctive trade fairs that give Canadian farmers and agri-food exporters essential business opportunities and place our premium products front and centre," Mr. Blackburn said. "Our Government is taking concrete measures to ensure that Canadian exporters can reap the full benefit of key opportunities to develop and promote our exceptional products."
The Agri-Food Export Group Quebec-Canada will undertake training on export expansion into markets, buyers' missions, and trade meetings/ trade fairs. The investment will also serve to develop promotional material, information kits and strategic alliances abroad. At the heart of the trade fairs featured by the association is SIAL Montreal, which took place in April and SIAL Toronto, which will take place from May 11 until May 13, 2011. These events help raise the profile of Canadian products worldwide.
The association will receive up to $1,454,996 for 2010-2011 and up to $1,753,327 for 2011-2012. For over 15 years, the Government of Canada has proudly supported the promotion and development activities of the Agri-Food Export Group Quebec-Canada.
"The renewal of the AgriMarketing Program, supported by the Honourable Gerry Ritz and his colleague, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), has become over the past 10 years a key component to achieving the objectives of Quebec Agri-Food exporters on international markets," says André Coutu, CEO of the Agri-Food Export Group. "With this decision, the Government of Canada is associating itself energetically with the international efforts of the Agri-Food Export Group. Through his involvement and actions to support the industry, Minister Blackburn is clearly demonstrating that the growth of the Quebec agri-food industry is central to the government's concerns, and this is one of the surest guarantees for us!"
The Government of Canada will also invest up to $150,000 to support ExpoCité, which features one of the largest agricultural fairs in Eastern Canada and is to be held this year from August 18 to 29. The Government of Canada is especially proud to support the international strategy developed by Expo Québec, which aims to promote the agricultural component of the exhibition to international buyers.
Setting up an international business centre is helping to make Expo Québec a veritable hub of the Canadian livestock and genetics trade in North America. Expo Québec 2010 was promoted in Serbia, Algeria, Morocco, Mexico and Cuba. Some 100 potential buyers from these markets are expected at the fair.
Expo Québec's international strategy produces concrete results for Canadian farmers every year. Last year a Serbian beef producers who participated in Expo Québec signed a three-year, $5 million agreement with a Quebec breeder.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is a faithful partner of Expo Québec. "For many years, the Department has made significant contributions to our development by supporting our initiative to promote and develop Canadian agricultural and food products on foreign markets," says Mark Sparrow, General Manager of ExpoCité, which produces the event. "We are proud that the largest agricultural fair in Quebec is recognized and encouraged by the new AgriMarketing Program and sincerely thank the Minister and his team," he concluded.
These investments are provided through the AgriMarketing Program, which helps producers and processors increase exports of safe, premium Canadian products around the world. The program helps implement long term international strategies, which include activities such as the expansion of international markets, consumer education, brand promotion and the defence of the industry's trade interests.
- 30 -
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Céline Falardeau
Senior Advisor
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
613-302-5511
Quebec City, Quebec, August 4, 2010 - The Government of Canada is helping farmers and agri-food exporters create new trade opportunities by showcasing livestock and Canadian premium products at international trade fairs and on trade missions. The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), was pleased to announce today investments totalling up to $3.3 million in support of these efforts.
"Every year, Quebec holds distinctive trade fairs that give Canadian farmers and agri-food exporters essential business opportunities and place our premium products front and centre," Mr. Blackburn said. "Our Government is taking concrete measures to ensure that Canadian exporters can reap the full benefit of key opportunities to develop and promote our exceptional products."
The Agri-Food Export Group Quebec-Canada will undertake training on export expansion into markets, buyers' missions, and trade meetings/ trade fairs. The investment will also serve to develop promotional material, information kits and strategic alliances abroad. At the heart of the trade fairs featured by the association is SIAL Montreal, which took place in April and SIAL Toronto, which will take place from May 11 until May 13, 2011. These events help raise the profile of Canadian products worldwide.
The association will receive up to $1,454,996 for 2010-2011 and up to $1,753,327 for 2011-2012. For over 15 years, the Government of Canada has proudly supported the promotion and development activities of the Agri-Food Export Group Quebec-Canada.
"The renewal of the AgriMarketing Program, supported by the Honourable Gerry Ritz and his colleague, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), has become over the past 10 years a key component to achieving the objectives of Quebec Agri-Food exporters on international markets," says André Coutu, CEO of the Agri-Food Export Group. "With this decision, the Government of Canada is associating itself energetically with the international efforts of the Agri-Food Export Group. Through his involvement and actions to support the industry, Minister Blackburn is clearly demonstrating that the growth of the Quebec agri-food industry is central to the government's concerns, and this is one of the surest guarantees for us!"
The Government of Canada will also invest up to $150,000 to support ExpoCité, which features one of the largest agricultural fairs in Eastern Canada and is to be held this year from August 18 to 29. The Government of Canada is especially proud to support the international strategy developed by Expo Québec, which aims to promote the agricultural component of the exhibition to international buyers.
Setting up an international business centre is helping to make Expo Québec a veritable hub of the Canadian livestock and genetics trade in North America. Expo Québec 2010 was promoted in Serbia, Algeria, Morocco, Mexico and Cuba. Some 100 potential buyers from these markets are expected at the fair.
Expo Québec's international strategy produces concrete results for Canadian farmers every year. Last year a Serbian beef producers who participated in Expo Québec signed a three-year, $5 million agreement with a Quebec breeder.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is a faithful partner of Expo Québec. "For many years, the Department has made significant contributions to our development by supporting our initiative to promote and develop Canadian agricultural and food products on foreign markets," says Mark Sparrow, General Manager of ExpoCité, which produces the event. "We are proud that the largest agricultural fair in Quebec is recognized and encouraged by the new AgriMarketing Program and sincerely thank the Minister and his team," he concluded.
These investments are provided through the AgriMarketing Program, which helps producers and processors increase exports of safe, premium Canadian products around the world. The program helps implement long term international strategies, which include activities such as the expansion of international markets, consumer education, brand promotion and the defence of the industry's trade interests.
- 30 -
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Céline Falardeau
Senior Advisor
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
613-302-5511
Comment