January 16, 2018, BEIJING (GNB) – Wild blueberries, salmon and lobster from New Brunswick are being spotlighted in China as part of efforts to expand markets in that country.

On Monday, Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau and Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet visited the JD 7Fresh retail store operated by Chinese online retailer JD.com. As part of a promotion of foods from the province, Roy Vienneau and Doucet put on New Brunswick aprons and helped a chef demonstrate how Canadians break open their lobster and use wild blueberry jam to prepare smoothies.

There have been several meetings with such retailers in China during visits by Premier Brian Gallant and other cabinet ministers since 2015.

“New Brunswick companies are seeing successes thanks to the sustained effort to build those relationships, including a Canada 150 promotion in July, and we look forward to carrying that momentum into 2018,” said Doucet. “We know New Brunswick businesses are excited to work with retailers like the JD group to identify new product lines for consumers in China and to identify opportunities to promote their products through the JD platform.”

Bay Shore Lobster was the main supplier of lobster for a Canada 150 promotion last July when JD.com’s online retailer, JD Fresh, set a record for the number of lobster it sold in one day. True North Seafood Co., Oxford Frozen Foods and Cavendish also showcased products as part of the JD group launch.

Oxford Frozen Foods has experienced increased demand in China for its blueberries following efforts last summer. China is becoming an increasingly important market for wild blueberries, with the value of Atlantic Canadian product shipped to that country increasing 140 per cent in 2017 compared to the previous year.

True North Seafood recently launched its Catch-To-Go retail line of seafood, as well as a full line of smoked salmon products, with JD Fresh. The company has also enjoyed increased sales to food service and retail customers.

Doucet and Roy Vienneau are in China this week with representatives of 17 companies and the University of New Brunswick, leading a New Brunswick trade mission organized by Opportunities NB. Doucet’s visit to the JD 7Fresh store followed events in Beijing to showcase and promote the New Brunswick businesses. Other meetings, including one with online retailer Alibaba, are scheduled for later this week.

China Trade Mission January 2018
From left: Lieutenant-Governor Jocelyne Roy Vienneau; and Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet.

MEDIA CONTACT(S):

Jean Bertin, communications, Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, 506-444-5298, jean.bertin@gnb.ca.

Eric Lewis, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-866-6938, eric.lewis@onbcanada.ca.