At Fruit Logistica next February, Canadian fresh produce exporters will be exhibiting under an official Canadian pavilion for the third consecutive year.
A delegation consisting of at least 20 Canadian companies, growers and trade organisations will be in Berlin to showcase their products to Fruit Logistica’s approximately 80,000 visitors from 130 countries.
According to international trade expert Richie Santosdiaz, the country’s presence at the fair is a valuable opportunity to highlight to the world what Canada has to offer. “Fruit Logistica’s global attendance is a great platform for Canadian exporters in fruits and vegetables to contact their current and prospective buyers,” he said.
Sue Lewis from the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), which is set to exhibit, commented: “As an association representing over 860 member companies doing business in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, CPMA sees the Fruit Logistica show as an important opportunity to engage with current and potential foreign trading partners.”
Other delegates in attendance include the provinces of British Columbia (BC), the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Company (DRC), Prince Edward Island Potatoes and Air Canada Cargo.
Despite Canada’s reputation for harsh winters, the country has a strong produce and wider horticulture industry that plays an important role in the economy and the global produce industry.
In 2017, according to Agriculture and Agrifoods Canada (AAFC), Canada exported C$695m (US$526m) of fruit and C$1.8bn (US$1.36bn) of vegetables, including field vegetables, greenhouse vegetables and mushrooms.
Canada is among the world leaders in the production of cranberries and blueberries, in addition to producing cherries, grapes, topfruit and saskatoon berries.
Canada's greenhouse industry produces tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, green beans, aubergines, as well as herbs and micro vegetables.
Since the provisional implementation of the free trade agreement between Canada and the EU over a year ago, known as CETA (the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), as well as Canada’s commitment to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP or TPP11), which comes into force on 30 December 2018, Canada is looking to further boost trade, not only with its historical trading partners but also in new markets.
