Food In Canada

BC’s seafood sector receives a funding boost

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Almost $1 million from the federal government will go towards BC's seafood sector and helping it expand into new markets

Raw sea cucumber pickled in vinegar with Yuzu peel and Sake, Japanese food

Courtenay, BC – BC’s seafood sector has received a funding boost to help the industry extend its presence into new markets.

In a statement, the federal government says it “is committed to helping BC’s seafood sector grow their businesses, expand and access new markets at home and abroad.” To that end it announced up to $764,754 in funding.

The statement says the funding will be broken down this way:

  • $450,000 will support the Canadian Pacific Kazunoko Association to promote BC’s herring roe products in China and expand the Japanese market
  • $74,975 will go to the Pacific Sea Cucumber Harvesters Association to promote and expand markets in Asia
  • $152,563 will go to the Pacific Urchin Harvester’s Association to support their efforts to brand and promote products in Asia, the EU and the US.

In the statement, Christina Burridge – secretary-treasurer for the Canadian Pacific Kazunoko Association – explains why the funding is so significant.

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“Until recently, Japan has been our only international market for herring roe,” says Burridge. “AgriMarketing funding has helped us begin to develop a market in China. In both markets we work with our customers throughout the value chain to reach consumers to build a preference for premium priced roe.”

The government also announced $87,216 to support “four small- and medium-size seafood businesses to help them expand and tap into new domestic and international markets,” says the statement.

Mike Featherstone, the president of the Pacific Urchin Harvesters Association, says in the past the funding has helped his group attend international trade shows.

“We are grateful for support from the AgriMarketing program, which has helped us exhibit at prestigious seafood shows in Asia, Europe and North America,” says Featherstone. “We are building new markets for high quality BC seafood and a new reputation of trust in the dedicated people working in the industry.”

The federal government says fish and seafood are among Canada’s largest growing exports of food products, exporting $6.6 billion in 2016.

Image: Sea Cucumber – ThinkStock


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