Nova Scotia Seafood Companies Set to Impress in Brussels

NOTE: A list of companies exhibiting in the Nova Scotia pavilion and observing at the show follows this release.

Nova Scotia’s reputation as Canada’s leading seafood exporter will be front and centre at Seafood Expo Global in Brussels, Belgium, April 24-26.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell will lead 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.

“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 Mr. 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.

To follow Nova Scotia’s participation at Seafood Expo Global visit the Nova Scotia Seafood Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NSSeafood.

Pavilion exhibitors:

• Biscay Seafoods Canada Ltd., Halifax
• Breakers Fish Company, Halifax
• Do Lobster, Eastern Passage, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Fisher King Seafoods Ltd., Lower Sackville, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Fishermen's Premium Atlantic Lobster Inc., North East Point, Shelburne Co.
• Gidney Fisheries, Centreville, Digby Co.
• Golden Alliance Canada Inc., Dartmouth
• IMO Foods Ltd., Yarmouth
• Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., Louisbourg, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
• Sea Star Seafoods, Clark’s Harbour, Shelburne Co.
• Top Claw Lobster and Seafood Company, Newellton, Shelburne Co.
• Victoria Co-operative Fisheries, Neil’s Harbour, Victoria Co.
• West Fish Canada Ltd., Dartmouth
• Atlantic Sea Cucumber, Hacketts Cove, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Nautical Seafoods Ltd., Parkers Cove, Annapolis Co.

Observers:

• First Catch Fisheries Company Ltd., Halifax
• Pearlmark Foods Inc., Canning, Kings Co.
• Rio Import and Export Ltd., Dartmouth
• World Link Food Distributors Inc., Goffs, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Twin Seafoods Ltd./Woods Harbour Lobster Company, Lower Woods Harbour, Shelburne Co.