Canada is returning to the world’s largest fresh produce trade show, Fruit Logistica, for a fourth consecutive year under a Canada pavilion, aiming to showcase some of the innovations and fresh produce the country has to offer.
Although Canada has a reputation for harsh winters, it is worth noting that it is the world’s second largest country in terms of land mass. In fact, its varied landscape, from milder temperatures near the US-Canada border, particularly in the Western province of British Columbia (BC), the Great Lakes region such as the southern part of Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces, allows for the country to have a produce and wider horticulture industry, playing a huge role in the global produce industry.
In 2017, according to Agriculture and Agrifoods Canada (AAFC), Canada exported $695 million CAD ($526 million USD) in fruits and $1.8 billion CAD ($1.36 billion USD) in vegetables (comprising of field vegetables, greenhouse vegetables, and mushrooms). Besides maple syrup, which the country accounts for over 70 percent of the world’s supply, Canada is a leader in other commodities – such as cranberries and blueberries. With other fruits, Canada also has cherries, grapes, tree fruits, and Saskatoon berries. In the greenhouse industry category, Canada produces tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, green beans, eggplants, herbs and microgreen vegetables.
The Canadian delegates, who will be based at Hall 23 during Fruit Logistica Berlin, include: CFP, CKF, Summerland Varieties Corporation, Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC), Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), Sun Valley Cranberries and Potatoes Canada. Air Canada Cargo is the official sponsor for the Canadian pavilion; Canada’s pavilion is organized by B-FOR International in partnership with the Canadian Consulate in Germany.
One of the planned delegates, Sue Lewis from CPMA, says, “Fruit Logistica is an ideal forum to promote the Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable sector. Canadian consumers are continually exploring new products and flavours and we look forward to seeing what the world has on offer, while promoting our own Canadian high quality, nutritious and great tasting fruit and vegetables.”
Another delegate, Brad Dennis from CKF Inc, which won the bronze award at last year’s Fruit Logistica Innovative Awards for Earthcycle™ their line of home compostable and recyclable packaging, says, “We are experiencing strong demand from the international community, in particular European countries, as they introduce policies and incentives to reduce single use plastic. The Fruit Logistica show helps CKF deliver our message of less plastic and more recyclable and home compostable packaging that extends shelf life and performs in highly automated packaging environments.”
With the provisional implementation of the Canada and the EU free trade agreement called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) now in its fourth year, as well as other agreements Canada is a part of, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP or TPP11) and the recent headlines of the renegotiated trade deal between the US-Canada-Mexico (formally in the past known as NAFTA), Canada is open to doing business across the world.
For more information:
Michelle McArtor
Email: mmcartor@b-for.com
Nora Gruetters
Email: nora.gruetters@international.gc.ca