From left: Traci Simmons, CEO of Opportunities NB; Jarvis Spires, president of Smet Monuments; Laurence Paradis Bolduc, chief operating officer of Vimsoft; Aaron McKinnon, marketing manager of Chinova Bioworks; Mark Hanscome, president of Atlantic Potato Distributors; Jean-Philippe Morais, deputy director of operations of ECO Technologies; Roy McIntyre, quality assurance manager of Purplefarm Genetics; Karl Trottier, general manager of Sparta Manufacturing; Neri Jean, CEO of Everest Group; and Luke Randall, minister responsible for Opportunities NB.
SAINT JOHN (GNB) – Opportunities NB and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) celebrated the province’s top-performing exporters at the 58th annual New Brunswick Export Awards in Saint John on Thursday.
“It is more important than ever to recognize our exporting businesses and the impact they have on our economy and communities,” said Luke Randall, minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “Through our efforts to help companies diversify markets, strengthen supply chains and seize new global opportunities, we are ensuring exporters are well-positioned to navigate change and lead with confidence. I congratulate this year’s nominees and award recipients on their achievements.”
The winners were selected by a volunteer panel of business experts from academia and the private sector through a scoring system.
“This past year was anything but typical for New Brunswick’s exporting community,” said Traci Simmons, CEO of Opportunities NB. “The ambition and resolve demonstrated by our exporters makes this year’s New Brunswick Export Awards reception and gala even more special as we pause to celebrate their successes on the world stage.”
The 2026 award recipients are:
- Woman in Export Excellence Award: Vimsoft
- Productivity Impact Award: Atlantic Potato Distributors
- Exporter of the Year Award – over $5 million in export sales: Sparta Manufacturing
- Exporter of the Year Award – under $5 million in export sales: Smet Monuments
- Global Diversification Award: Purplefarm Genetics
- Innovative Exporter of the Year – under $10 million in export sales: Chinova Bioworks
- Emerging Exporter of the Year: Everest Group
- Sustainable Exporter of the Year: ECO Technologies
Randall said exports are a significant contributor to the economy, with the province recording over $16 billion in export sales in 2025.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners and nominees on this well-deserved recognition,” said Wayne Long, secretary of state for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions. “Your leadership and success in export markets are an inspiration and a testament to the world-class capabilities found across New Brunswick, and contribute to Canada’s strength and reputation as a global leader.”
Long spoke on behalf of federal Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser, who is also minister responsible for ACOA.
Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation and the lead economic development agency for the province. It seeks to attract and support opportunities to stimulate the economy and create jobs by providing support services for businesses.
ACOA works to create opportunities for economic growth in the region by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada.
Media Contact(s)
Shaun LeBlanc, communications, Opportunities NB, shaun.leblanc@onbcanada.ca.
Media Relations, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca.
