Richie Santosdiaz, Trade and Investment Specialist for Europe for the Government of British Columbia, Canada, started working with the province in Europe over a year ago and appreciating the importance of Fruit Logistica in Berlin, he applied for funding for the event.
B.C. is Canada’s largest producer of highbush blueberries, sweet cherries, raspberries, pears and apricots, and Canada’s second largest producer of cranberries, peaches, strawberries, plums and nectarines. B.C. also produces 30 different types of vegetables on more than 19,000 acres across the province. In addition to field crops such as potatoes, beans, and carrots, B.C. also produces some of the highest-quality greenhouse vegetables in the world using state-of-the-art facilities and production practices. In 2014, B.C. exported $146 million Cdn. of greenhouse-grown peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers.
There is also a large range of wild and cultivated mushrooms in B.C., varieties grown or harvested in the province include: pine (matsutake), morels, chanterelles, lobster, cremini, and many others. In 2014, B.C. exported $88 million Cdn. of mushrooms to buyers in Asia, Europe and North America.
"Weanticipate the free trade agreement to come into force next year between Canadaand the European Union (commonly known as CETA), we hope that Brand B.C. andbrand Canada will gain more recognition not just in Europe but the rest of theworld.” concludes Santosdiaz.
To learn more about B.C. products or to be connected to a supplier, contact foodsbc@gov.bc.ca.
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