Accomplishments spanning the 10-day mission with industry groups include:
Industry representatives reported some $10.3 million in on-site sales at Food and Hospitality China, and $43 million in anticipated sales over the next year.
Holding Export Café’s in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, which brought Canadian agricultural exporters face-to-face with Chinese importers to create new leads and sales opportunities.
Boosting the profile of Canadian agricultural products on online platforms through Savour Canada tasting events in Shanghai and Beijing that targeted high-volume e-commerce and VIP buyers and media.
Holding meetings with JD.com and VIP.COM to strengthen Canada’s relationship with China’s major e-commerce platforms, and create new opportunities for Canadian industry. The Minister signed a memorandum of understanding between AAFC and JD.Com
Signing numerous company-to-company deals, including between:
- China’s largest manufacturer and processor, COFCO, and Nova Scotia’s Oxford Frozen Foods. Industry estimates the deal will increase sales to China by $17.5 million over three years.
- Vancouver’s Sinova Foods International and its partner, an importer of Canadian wine and icewine, China’s Legend Wine Group. Industry expects the deal will boost sales to China by $15 million over three years.
- Canadian company Genesus and Chinese companies Aonong, TQLS, Wens and Wufang, which industry estimates will increase sales of Canadian swine genetics by $7.2 million. Canada’s livestock genetics are recognized worldwide for their high quality.
Signing new cooperation and collaboration agreements, including:
- The Wild Blueberry Association of North America and China’s Jin Jiang International signed a collaborative agreement to strengthen product development, market promotion and health research.
- The Barley Council of Canada signed a letter of cooperation with China’s Wahmix, which seeks to grow feed barley exports.
The Government of Canada signed a new arrangement and memorandum of understanding with China, including:
- the 2017-18 Cooperative Arrangement between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and China’s counterparts, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to set a path for continued stable trade of agricultural products, including canola and expanded meat access.
- renewing the MoU on Biotechnology between the CFIA and China’s Ministry of Agriculture.
- Cooking demonstrations to raise the profile of Canada’s safe, high-quality food products to Chinese media and buyers. Canada Beef Inc., the Canola Council of Canada and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) organized demonstrations.
Participating in the launch and promotion of “Canada Food Week” at major grocery retail chain CitySuper to highlight Canadian food products.
Participating in a dialogue organized by the Canola Council of Canada aimed at strengthening mutual understanding of issues impacting the canola trade.
Source: AAFC