Over the 10-day mission, Minister MacAulay and a delegation of over 100 Canadian industry representatives from all 10 provinces visited the cities of Qingdao, Beijing and Shanghai. Meetings were held with Chinese ministers, agriculture and agri-food businesses and exporters. The Minister also attended two major tradeshows in Qingdao and Shanghai to help promote Canadian products
As a result of the two tradeshows, Canadian industry representatives reported qualifying more than 5,500 leads,over 30 percent of which they believe will lead to future business. In terms of sales, industry representatives reported some $37 million in on-site sales and $230 million in anticipated sales over the next year.
"China is a vital export market for Canadian agricultural producers, processors and exporters," MacAulay said. "I am pleased to build on the Government's strong trading relationship with this fastest growing consumer market, to help put more money in the pockets of Canadian farmers and processors, which in turn strengthens our entire Canadian economy and the middle class."
In addition, as a result of various networking and promotional events where Minister MacAulay was key in encouraging business-to-business meetings, such as Export Cafés and Savour Canada events, Canadian industry also reported numerous on-site sales and leads that will generate business.
China is the world's second largest economy, and Canada's second-largest single-country trading partner with over $6 billion worth of agricultural, agri-food, fish and seafood exported to China. Canada's two-way foreign direct investment relationship with China reached $33 billion at the end of 2015.
Source: Meatbusiness