Beijing-Based Advisor Helping to Increase Agri-Food Exports
April 22, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ontario is creating a new Beijing-based agri-food trade advisor position to help the province's agri-food sector expand into the Chinese market. The new in-market trade advisor will be a seasoned food industry professional with business experience in global markets.
As part of the 2015 Ontario Agri-Food Trade Mission to China, Ministers Jeff Leal and Michael Chan are discussing how the new advisor will help connect Ontario exporters with Chinese buyers, sales brokers, distributors, agents and importers.
China is currently Ontario's second-largest agri-food export market. In 2014 alone, Ontario's total agri-food sales to China, including exports to Hong Kong, reached $832 million. The new agri-food in-market trade advisor, to be in place by June 1, 2015, will open up even more opportunity for Ontario producers in the Chinese market by providing them with strategic advice and guidance.
The Ontario Agri-Food Trade Mission to China is part of Ontario's plan to meet the Premier's Agri-Food Growth Challenge, which calls on the sector to double its rate of growth and create 120,000 new jobs by 2020. In 2014, the sector grew by 17,000 jobs and increased exports by $646 million.
Helping Ontario's agri-food businesses compete globally is part of the government's economic plan for the province. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
Bryan Bossin
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Minister's Office
416-326-3069
Susan Micallef
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Communications Branch
519-826-3145
Bryan Leblanc
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade
Minister's Office
416-325-0208
Laura Sylvis
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade
Communications Branch
416-314-7010
