Trade Mission Well Received in Louisiana

Nova Scotia's trade mission to Louisiana this week has already produced a sales agreement for one company and solid business leads for other Nova Scotia delegates.

"We have had productive meetings and discussions with members of the food service industry in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, which have resulted in business agreements for some of our Nova Scotia trade delegation," said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Acadian Affairs Chris d'Entremont, who is leading the visit. "Louisiana is a promising new market for many Nova Scotia companies. It makes sense to build on our historical and cultural ties with trade."

Acadian Maple Products Ltd., which manufactures and ships maple syrup and maple products, has finalized a deal. "It was nice to find a party interested in our products and be able to reach a deal so quickly," said company owner Brian Allaway. A variety of Nova Scotia specialty maple products will soon be available to Lafayette consumers.

The Nova Scotia delegation met with Associated Grocers, Inc. on Wednesday, Feb. 23. The association represents more than 300 independent retail grocers in the southeastern region of the United States and has sales of more than $500 million annually.

Mr. d'Entremont also met with Louisiana's secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries, Dwight Landreneau, to discuss trade opportunities between Nova Scotia and the state.

"We see opportunities for Nova Scotia and Louisiana to complement each other; for example with seafood products," said Mr. d'Entremont. "Our delegation has been warmly received by the people of Louisiana and local media and I am confident that additional relationships will be established as a result of our visit this week."

Mr. d'Entremont is joined on the tour by representatives of several agri-food and seafood companies, including: Nova Agri Inc. -- producer of blueberries and fruit; Country Harbour Sea Farms Limited -- grower and processor of cultivated mussels; Acadian Maple Products Ltd. -- maple and blueberry producer; Sambro Fisheries Ltd. -- Atlantic salmon, clam, crab, shrimp, tuna, shark and groundfish processor; Chef Stefan Inc. -- retailer of fine sea salts for home cooking enthusiasts and experienced chefs; Innovative Sea Product - clam harvester and processor; Aqua Shell Holdings -- shellfish processor; Taste of Nova Scotia -- an association of local food producers and processors that focus on joint marketing initiatives.

Louisiana has more than 4,200 food service outlets -- about three-quarters of them in New Orleans alone. Chefs in the state serve more than 11 million visitors each year.

The trade mission was in Louisiana from Feb. 21 to today, Feb. 25.