N.S seafood companies in Brussels

Several companies from the region taking part

Nova Scotia’s reputation as Canada’s leading seafood exporter is being laid out at the Seafood Expo Global in Brussels, Belgium, April 24- 26.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell is leading a delegation to the largest seafood show in Europe that includes 15 exhibitors in the province’s booth and another five observers that will explore export development by visiting the show.

The following companies from this region are taking part.

As Pavilion exhibitors:

• Fishermen’s Premium Atlantic Lobster Inc., North East Point, Shelburne Co.

• Gidney Fisheries, Centreville, Digby Co.

• IMO Foods Ltd., Yarmouth

• Sea Star Seafoods, Clark’s Harbour, Shelburne Co.

• Top Claw Lobster and Seafood Company, Newellton, Shelburne Co.

• Nautical Seafoods Ltd., Parkers Cove, Annapolis Co. As Observers:

• Twin Seafoods Ltd./ Woods Harbour Lobster Company, Lower Woods Harbour, Shelburne Co.

“As Canada’s number one seafood exporter, Nova Scotia will have the largest presence of any Canadian province at this important venue for our exporters,” said Colwell. “I’m proud to join our outstanding seafood companies as they continue to work hard to build on our export performance.”

Nova Scotia’s seafood exports reached $ 2 billion in 2017, a record performance that made the province the leading seafood exporter in the country for the third year in a row. The European Union was the third largest export market for the province’s seafood exports in 2017, worth $ 207 million.

“Because Seafood Expo Global is one of the largest seafood shows in the world, with exposure to the European marketplace and abroad, attending is a must for our company especially with the expanding business opportunities resulting from the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement,” said Robert MacDonald, president and general manager of Gidney Fisheries Limited of Centreville, Digby Co. “Being in the Nova Scotia booth, within the Canadian pavilion, brings instant quality recognition from the Nova Scotia brand.”

Nova Scotia will benefit from the Canada- European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement that came into effect in September and eliminates tariffs on 96 per cent of seafood products being exported to the European Union. The agreement presents significant trade and investment opportunities for Nova Scotia businesses.

Nova Scotia’s pavilion is part of a regional presence through the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy, a partnership between the Atlantic provinces and the federal government.