Seafood Trade Mission Builds Stronger Market Connections With China
Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith (centre right) at the Nova Scotia seafood booth during the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo. (Province of Nova Scotia)
A recent 10-day trade mission by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith strengthened the province’s relationship with China, Nova Scotia’s second-largest seafood market.
It was also an opportunity to promote the province’s world-class seafood and support Nova Scotia seafood companies on the ground.
“This trade mission was incredibly important for our producers, for our economy and for nurturing relationships,” said Minister Smith. “Beyond promoting our high-quality products, we gained a greater understanding of China’s consumer trends toward convenient and health-conscious choices – areas where Nova Scotia’s high-quality, responsibly harvested and traceable seafood stand out.”
The trade mission began October 26 and included:
- opening the Canada Seafood Conference, profiling Nova Scotia’s seafood to Chinese importers
- assisting Nova Scotian seafood companies at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, the second largest international seafood trade show in the world, in Qingdao
- participating in the advancing Canada–China agri-food engagement panel at the Canada China Business Council annual general meeting
- participating in the announcement of a strategic branding agreement between JD.com Inc. and Clearwater Seafoods Ltd.
- a meeting with federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Heath MacDonald to discuss opportunities to promote Nova Scotia seafood around the world
- meetings with government officials to strengthen Nova Scotia-China ties.
Despite the new tariffs on most seafood imports from Canada, there was a strong sense of optimism for future trade in conversations with Chinese seafood importers and government officials.
Quotes:
“Participating in seafood trade missions in China represents a significant opportunity for our company to expand into one of the world’s most dynamic markets. These trade missions allow us to showcase the exceptional quality and sustainability of Nova Scotia seafood directly to key buyers and distributors. Having the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in China with us was incredibly valuable to strengthen our international presence, foster valuable business relationships and reaffirm our reputation as a trusted supplier of premium seafood.”
— Derrick Kennedy, Director of Sales, Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd.
“Clearwater is excited to be a partner in the JD cross-border strategic initiative, focused on bringing Canadian seafood to consumers in China. This partnership will further develop our premium quality clam range, as well as our other sustainably caught, wild seafood products harvested in Atlantic Canada, with consumers in this key market.”
— Ian Smith, CEO, Clearwater Seafoods Ltd.
Quick Facts:
- China is Nova Scotia’s second largest seafood market, with exports totalling $615 million in 2024
- eight Nova Scotia seafood companies exhibited at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo: Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., World Link Food Distributors Inc., Right Source Group Ltd., Clearwater Seafoods Ltd., Everich Import and Export Inc., Mersey Seafoods, Ship’s Lobster Pound 2005 Ltd. and Golden Alliance Canada Inc.
- Nova Scotia has twinning agreements with governments in Fujian, Shandong and Guangdong provinces
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia’s seafood marketing website: https://nsseafood.com/